What is a dialect?
Speakers of any given language sometimes get offended when their particular language style is called a dialect. To avoid any confusion, I would therefore like to explain what I mean by the term "dialect."
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, a dialect is
A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists.
The problem with this definition is that it implies that there is some sort of "standard" language from which all of the various dialects of that language differ. In English, however, I do not think this is true. I think that the English language is far too widespread and varies too much for anyone to say that the English spoken in ____ is "standard" and everything else is a "dialect." Even if it were narrowed down to a single country, there is still a great deal of variation within that country, and who is to say which region/city/state/province speaks proper English?
My definition of a dialect is simply this: "A variation of a given language spoken in a particular place or by a particular group of people." Therefore, when I use the term dialect, I am not making any sort of judgment about the quality or "correctness" of that variety of English. I believe that American, British, Canadian, and Australian English are all dialects of the English language, and that none of them is any better or more proper than any other.
In writing about English dialects on this site, my goal is to make English speakers - both native and non-native - aware of the differences in English as it is spoken around the world. I don't think that the English I speak is "right" English, nor do I think that British and Australian are "wrong" English. I am fascinated by language in all its forms, and this site provides me with the opportunity to discover more about the language I speak and how it varies from the English spoken by others.
So whatever form of English you speak, please do not take offense at my use of the term "dialect" in referring to different varieties of English. They are all interesting and valuable, and I respect every single one.
Laura K. Lawless
I am agree with she because of the class we had on thursday. Before that, I didnt know the difference from dialect and accent. Now that I know I have the confidence to use this terms, with out the risk to hurt someones feelings. =)
ReplyDeleteAs we have seen the English language is vast and varied, therefore has a more precise definition people learn their mother tongue and appropriates it. Laura is right in what he writes, by which everyone learns English depends on many factors like school, friends, the place where they live and so on.
ReplyDeleteReading this article and being in this class makes me think that it´s funny how most of the people say that the best English is the British one. That must be becaus of Harry Potter, but it is a fact that the British English sounds very nice and that doesn´t makes it better. It is important for all the people that speaks in English, as a native or second language, to know that there are different dialects of it. English is spoken in many parts of the world and that why there are different dialects. We have to be aware of this because if we sometime go to a different part of the world were English is spoken, we will find differences in writting, words and pronunciation. we should spread the fact that theres no such a place where English is well spoken.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting to learn about the differences between laguage and dialect, now we know that there is many correct types to speak in English depending to the dialect that we use.
ReplyDeleteAlso i think its funny to learn and use the words that the people from different countries use to comunicate.
I don’t know if it’s wrong or right the "dialect" term, but it is needed when dealing with one same language and when trying to differentiate the all kinds of ways someone can speak that same language. I love the existence of the dialects. It makes people from different places more interesting and fun. I also like the different dialects there is in Spanish. I think is fun and interesting to hear them.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that this article is trying to makes conscious about the English Language. One reason I thinks so, is because we have the paradigm that British English is better, and is the most elegant. But after reading this article we can see that this is another dialect form the English language. So, teachers and all people must understand the word dialect and clarify the concept. In conclusion, if you speak English it doesn´t matter if you are a native or non-native you speak a dialect of English.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
There has been always a fight betweet dialects, this problem not only happens in USA, Australia or UK. We can also experience this, between Mexico, Spain and other countries that speak spanish.
ReplyDeleteWe need first to respect each contry and their traditions. Second, we can learn of other places.
Righ now all the languages and dialects are exposed to the globalization, that it's changing our dilects and languages, by creating new vocabulary and letting us to be in touch with other places sharing with more facility traditions and other things, that in a long term modifies our language.
I think every single dialect has its beauty. That is what enriches a language. Every single dialect prints or adds part of a culture of its history.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with her according to his definition of dialect, but I have heard from several people that the best English is the British because it is more formal. In Spanish also there are different dialects and is one of the things more interesting when you travel to other State or country.
ReplyDeleteIts quite interesting how does the author describe her thoughts about the different meanings of the word "dialect". I liked her point of view of don't trying to be "better" or "best" than one of it.
ReplyDeleteIn my personal point of view, I think its necessary to use this word (dialect) when referring or when at least we are trying to differentiate all the kinds of ways someone (person or whole nation) can speak the same language. I also strongly think that dialects don't really affect a language, by the other way, it enriches it.
In my personal experience I can say that its funny to meet someone new with different accents and different dialects than mines.
Yes Betty, It is important that we as English teachers know that all dialects of the same language are correct, complete and valuable.
DeleteI like the way the author describes the language, I agree that all of the English varieties are correct but I think that dialect and language are the same or at least the dialect is the beginning of a new language.
ReplyDeleteI think that language implies rules, grammar, words, sounds, pronunciations, and the dialects can imply all of this but in a basic way.
For example the spanglish I think is a dialect because it no an official language, I know that a lot of people speak and write Spanglish but isn't an official language like Nahuatl, English, Indian. There's no dictionary for Spanglish so I think that's a dialect.
Vale, a dialect is a variety of a language. It is still not a different language. Spanglish is the mixture of two complete languages. When to languages are neighbors or when a country invades or dominates a different countries, this interaction is what eventually forms a complete new language. Spanglish is not a dialect, it is two languages forming a new and complete language. There are already some Spanglish dictionaries and literature, and poetry. Take a look at this link: http://nelson_g.tripod.com/spanglish.html It is very interesting.
DeleteIts a good text, I think all the varieties of english enrich all the dialects, when I studied for the first time this topic, I had some doubts about what is the real english; and I like the opinion of Laura because all the countries or sites provides a opportunity to discover more about each country.
ReplyDeleteI hope, all the people understand that the dialects gives culture and history for the whole world and traditions.
Exactly Dany, different dialects enrich a language with the culture and history of the place or region where they exist.
DeleteI think this article is really interesting. The text mentions that there are a lot of variations of English. English is the second most important language and every country has its own dialects.
ReplyDeleteLaura also mentions that none of the dialects are better or more correct than the others and the same thing happens in Mexico and other countries
In Mexico, people speak spanish but with different accents and use slightly different terms but it doesn't mean one is more perfect than the other.
Iraida, you really got the idea. Good! English is spoken in England, Ireland, Scotland, USA, Canada, Australia, India, and some other countries. They all speak English, but each one of them has their own variety-dialect of English and all of them are correct.
DeleteThis article shows us some interesting things about the dialects, especially in English. Sometimes, we get closed about how to talk, write or speak, because people tell to us that are the best way to do it.
ReplyDeleteIf we start investigating just a little of some dialects, we can find that there is a lot of interesting things that would help us and a lot of different culture that exist out of our country.
Yes Cristy, this broadens your understanding of languages and cultures. It is very interesting to get into these issues.
DeleteI agree about the definition that this article explains to the word "dialect", but he miss one important thing, the evolution, everything is in constant change, the way we speak, write, the clash of different cultures and the more important thing is the land we come from, all the words even accents has made the words change, you have to get familiarize with the way people talk even if the language is english the only thing that change is the way we applied those words and that happens in all the different languages all over the world, and it doesn't offense any one you just have to make the words match for the place you are.
ReplyDeleteYes Mariana, you are touching a very important matter when talking about languages: evolution, change, clash of cultures, where we come from, this is what really languages are all about.
DeleteI liked this article for several things. Firts, I belong to the persons that I was thinking that the word "dialect" towards reference to the language of the aborigens, for example here in Mexico to "the nahuatl".
ReplyDeleteAlso, I always thought that British english was the best english, even my english teachers thought it; nu my mistake was I believed everything my teachers teached me. Now, I know that there are differents dialects and each one has a lot of history and customs; and it will be insteresting to learn about it.
At a certain point, specially in countries like ours where there are some many indigenous languages, we tend to think that those are dialects and Spanish is a language. Now you know that is a big mistake. Nahuatl as many other indigenous languages are rich and beautiful. With all the elements a language should have.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting article. I think like the author says, all the differents English dialects are ok and no one is wrong or excellent,simply is just that the people's culture is different in all the countries and each other make it or have their own accents without do a better or worst lenguage, it´ll be just a lenguage.
ReplyDeleteFor example, here in México, it depends a lot if we live on north or south, we have diferents ways to say the things and we use differents words, no one is better, is just the diversity in wich we are involved.