Dialects

Dialects are regional or social varieties of a language, characterized by distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and sometimes grammar. They develop through geographic separation, historical change, and social contact, yet typically share a core grammar with the parent language. Dialects can be mutually intelligible to varying degrees with other varieties of the same language and often reflect local identities.

Whether a variety is called a dialect or a language depends on politics as well as linguistics. The saying “a language is a dialect with an army” captures the ambiguity. If speakers understand one another, it’s often labeled a dialect; if not, or if political boundaries intervene, it may be treated as a separate language. Standard varieties are commonly taught in schools and used in formal contexts, while regional or social dialects persist in daily speech.

Linguists study dialects by comparing phonology, lexicon, and syntax. Isogloss maps trace feature boundaries, and a dialect continuum describes gradual change across regions. Dialects can diverge in sound shifts, word choices, or grammar, yet typically retain the core structure of the parent language.

Examples include English with regional varieties such as Scottish or American Southern English; Arabic with many spoken varieties (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf); and Chinese where Mandarin and Cantonese are sometimes treated as separate languages despite common roots. Dialects influence identity and social interaction, and media, education, and migration affect their distribution and prestige.