Wednesday 12 August 2020

Difference between Language and Dialect

Languages and dialects are codes. A 'code' is a linguistic system used for communication. Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. A language is bigger than a dialect; basically, it is a system of communication used by a particular country or community. It can be categorized into two main parts: Spoken Language and Written Language. On the other hand, a Dialect is a particular form of language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group. Dialect is a variety of language distinguished by grammar, pronunciation, or vocabulary, spoken in a specific area by a specific group of people. Dialects can be categorized into two main parts: standard dialects and non-standard dialects. One of the most common ways of identifying the difference is their mutual intelligibility. If two speakers of two varieties can understand each other, then it is accepted that the two varieties are two dialects; if not, they are considered to be two different languages.

What is Language: The scientific study of language is known as linguistics. Language is a system of conventional spoken, manual (signed), or written symbols utilizing which human beings, as members of a social group and participants in its culture, express themselves. There are two main aspects of language: spoken (oral) language and written language. Although the language is governed by a set of rules, it is not static. The language evolves and changes and every moment. New words, new sentence structures, etc. are constantly introduced to the language. With time, they become a part of the language. The term style refers to a language variety that is divided based on speech or speaking situation into formal and informal styles. We can speak very formally or very informally; our choice of style is governed by circumstances.  A language is bigger and more prestigious than dialect. Language is historically and politically determined. Language is known to be a so-called standard while a dialect is more of the homely or local version. Language is a fascinating subject, and it can be studied under various categories such as phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. The major difference between language and Dialects is: all dialects are languages, but not all languages are dialects.

What is Dialect: A dialect is generally a particular form of a language which is specific to a region or social group and usually has differences in pronunciation, grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. For example, Mandarin and Cantonese are known to be dialects of Chinese. Dialects can be classified into two categories: Standard dialect and Non-standard dialects. A standard dialect is a dialect that is approved and supported by institutions. Whereas, Non-standard dialects are those that are not supported by institutions. There are sub-dialects within these dialects as well. Though dialects can be considered of various kinds, the most widespread and evident way of differentiating or defining a dialect is regional or geographical and social dialect.

Regional Dialect:  A regional dialect is a distinct form of a language spoken in a particular geographical area. It is also known as regiolect or topolect. It has a variety of language that is spoken in the geographical area for many hundreds of years as seen in differences in pronunciations, in the choices and form of the word, and syntax.

Social Dialect: This dialect is also known as Sociolect, social dialect is a form of dialect having a variety of speech associated with a particular social class or occupational group within a society.

Language and Dialects both are connected with people's thought and psychology, with their life and social consciousness, and with the history of peoples and their customs.

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