dialects

IPA/ˈdaɪ.ə.lekt/
KK[dˈaɪəlˌɛkts]IPA/ˈdaɪ.ə.lekt/

dialects — noun

  • dialectssingular
  • dialectsesplural

1. A way of speaking a language that belongs to a particular place, with unique voc

1.nounB1
Definition

A way of speaking a language that belongs to a particular place, with unique vocabulary, sounds, and grammar that separate it from the standard form used in schools and writing.

Example

Rodrigo grew up speaking a rural dialect with words his city cousins have never heard.

collocation: rural dialect — contrast with standard variety

The mountain village dialect preserves grammar patterns that the standard language lost.

preserves grammar patterns — historical continuity of dialects

Common collocations
  • rural dialect
  • local dialect
  • regional dialect
  • speak a dialect
  • dialect words
  • dialect speaker
Synonyms
  • regional variety

    broader, more neutral term used by linguists

  • vernacular

    refers specifically to the everyday language of ordinary people in a region

  • patois

    regional dialect, sometimes viewed as non-standard or local

Antonyms
  • standard language

    the official, codified form taught in schools and used in formal writing

Grammar Patterns

speak + a dialect

dialect of + [region/area]

Usage Note

Only this sense refers to geographical varieties. For varieties defined by social group rather than region, see sense 2 (SOCIAL GROUP).

Common Mistakes

He speaks a different dialect.' (when the speaker only means a different pronunciation)
He speaks with a different accent.
A dialect involves unique vocabulary and grammar, not just pronunciation.

2. A version of a language that is tied to a certain social group — for instance, t

2.nounB2
Definition

A version of a language that is tied to a certain social group — for instance, the speech of young people, lawyers, or a specific social class — rather than to any geographic region.

Example

Hospital doctors use a dialect full of technical terms that confuse patients.

collocation: professional dialect — technical vocabulary of a trade

Hao noticed his teenage nephew's dialect includes slang that older family members never use.

Common collocations
  • social dialect
  • professional dialect
  • class dialect
  • group dialect
  • youth dialect
  • online dialect
Synonyms
  • sociolect

    the technical linguistic term for a social, not geographic, dialect

  • jargon

    specialised vocabulary of a profession or activity, narrower in scope than a full dialect

  • ingroup language

    emphasises the social-bonding function of shared speech patterns

Antonyms
  • standard language

    the neutral, widely accepted form not tied to any particular social group

Grammar Patterns

dialect of + [social group/profession]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (REGIONAL VARIETY): if the variety is tied to a place, use sense 1; if it is tied to a group's identity (class, age, profession, subculture), use this sense.

Common Mistakes

Lawyers speak a different dialect.' (when only a few special terms are different)
Lawyers use a lot of professional jargon.
A dialect involves widespread differences in vocabulary, grammar, and phrasing, not just a few technical words.

Word family

  • dialect
    nounB1
  • dialectal
    adjectiveC1
  • dialectally
    adverbC2
  • dialectology
    nounC2
  • dialectologist
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A 'dialect' is a full variety of a language with its own vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, tied to a specific region (or social group for sense 2). An 'accent' is only the pronunciation part — someone can have a Scottish accent while writing standard English. 'Vernacular' refers to the everyday, ordinary language of a place, often contrasted with formal or literary language. 'Slang' is informal, creative vocabulary used by a particular group, but slang does not involve different grammar or pronunciation patterns. For example: 'The Scottish dialect includes words like "outwith" that standard English does not use.' An older speaker might say: 'That young person's slang sounds strange to me.'

dialect ↗accent ↗vernacular ↗slang ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • dialect of
  • dialect spoken in
  • speak in a dialect

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'dialect' comes from Greek 'dialektos', meaning 'discourse' or 'way of speaking', which comes from 'dialegesthai' (to converse). This Greek root breaks down as 'dia-' (through, across) plus 'legein' (to speak). The word passed through Latin 'dialectus' and French 'dialecte' before entering English in the 1500s. Originally it referred to any form of a language, but over time it became associated with regional and social varieties.

First known use

1566

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1a