Final answer:
The literary device associated with elevated language used in academic or professional writing is formal diction. It is distinct from slang, informal diction, and colloquialism, focusing on sophisticated language choices appropriate for formal contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The literary device that involves the use of elevated language and is often associated with academic or professional writing is known as formal diction. Formal diction utilizes a level of language that is more sophisticated, precise, and often contains technical expressions that are specific to a particular field or subject. This type of language is in contrast with slang, informal diction, and colloquialism, which embody more casual or regional uses of language.
Colloquialism refers to informal words used in everyday speech, which aren't typically suitable for formal contexts like job interviews. For instance, elements such as 'hella' in Californian slang, or flummoxing vocabulary from older literature, are examples of language that is more informal and generally not used in formal writing. When authors aim for clarity without being mundane, they might incorporate a mix of proper and unusual words, including metaphors and technical language—this balances perspicuity with an engaging and distinctive style.