Difference Between Language and Dialect in Sociolinguistics

The key difference between language and dialect in sociolinguistics is their mutual intelligibility. That is, if speakers of two varieties of a language can understand each other, then those varieties are considered to be dialects; if they are unable to understand each other, those varieties are separate languages.

People around the world speak various languages. Most of these languages also have various dialects, with variations in grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation. French, Japanese, Arabic, Latin, Hindi and Russian are some examples of language. Canadian French, Quebec French, Belgian French, and Louisiana French are some examples of dialects of the French language.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Language
3. What is Dialect 
4. Side by Side Comparison – Language vs Dialect in Sociolinguistics in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Language?

Language is the method of human communication by speaking, writing, or making signs in a way that can be understood. There are two main components of language: oral language and written language. Orality is the main aspect of a language since the function of writing and reading is based on speaking.

Furthermore, language is not a static thing; it evolves every moment. New words and sentence structures are constantly introduced to the language. Moreover, the meanings of some words get change, and some words go out of usage. The speakers of a language are responsible for all these changes.

Figure 01: Written Forms of Various Languages

There are various languages in the world. English, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, French, and German are some of the most spoken languages in the world. These individual languages also varieties which we call dialects.

What is Dialect?

A dialect is a particular form of a language which is unique to a specific region or social group. It is different from a standard variety of language. Dialects have variations in grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation. Dialects are especially a way of speaking that differs from the standard variety of the language. For example, American English, Indian English, and Australian English, etc. are some examples of English dialects. Moreover, there are also sub-dialects within these dialects.

Furthermore, it is also possible to derive some information about a person’s geographical location, education or social background from his or her dialect. There are two categories of dialects as standard and non-standard dialects. A standard dialect is a dialect that is approved and supported by institutions, and non-standard dialects are those that are not supported by institutions.

Figure 02: Dialects of Punjabi Language

However, it is important to note that there is no standard method to identify the difference between language and dialect. The most common method to identify the difference between them is mutual intelligibility. If speakers of two varieties of a language can understand each other, then those varieties are considered to be dialects, not separate languages. This is why Mexican Spanish and Iberian Spanish are dialects, not different languages.

What is the Difference Between Language and Dialect in Sociolinguistics?

Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written, involving the use of words in a structured and conventional way. A dialect, on the other hand, is a particular form of a language which is unique to a specific region or social group. A language can have various dialects. However, the standard way to identify the difference between language and dialect in sociolinguistics is mutual intelligibility. Speakers of two dialects can understand what each other is saying; however, speakers of two languages will have trouble understanding each other.

Summary – Language vs Dialect in Sociolinguistics

There are various languages in the world. These languages also have various dialects. A dialect is a particular variety of language peculiar to a specific region or social group. Speakers of two dialects can understand what each other is saying; however, speakers of two languages will have trouble understanding each other. Thus, this is the difference between language and dialect in sociolinguists.

Image Courtesy:

1. “905562” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Dialects Of Punjabi” By Khalid Mahmood – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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