dialect

A dialect is a regional or social variety of a language distinguished by systematic differences in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Dialects share a common grammar and core vocabulary with the standard form of the language but differ in sound patterns, word use, and sometimes sentence structure. The boundary between a dialect and a separate language is often political as well as linguistic; varieties that are mutually intelligible may still be regarded as distinct languages for cultural or national reasons, while non-standard dialects can be treated as legitimate forms of a language.

Dialects can arise from geography, social class, ethnicity, or age. They may show features such as vowel shifts, consonant changes, unique idioms, or distinct syntax. Examples include regional English dialects like Scottish English or Southern American English, but every language typically has multiple dialects. Dialects exist along a continuum rather than in discrete blocks, a pattern known as a dialect continuum.

Dialect variety is not merely a shorthand for "incorrect speech"; many dialects have their own rules, registers, and literature. They can carry social meaning, signaling identity, solidarity, or prestige. In multilingual settings, dialects may interact with standard languages in processes like diglossia, language shift, or code-switching.

Study and documentation of dialects is called dialectology or sociolinguistics. Tools include field interviews, phonetic analysis, and isogloss maps that trace where particular features occur. Dialect preservation and standardization efforts have shaped education policies, media, and national identity.