Accent vs. Dialect — What's the Difference?

A manner of pronunciation that indicates regional or foreign origin.

A linguistic variety rooted in geographical or social differences.

A vocal inflection indicating the prominence of a syllable or word.

A version of a language with unique characteristics.

The relative prominence of a particular syllable of a word by greater intensity or by variation or modulation of pitch or tone.

A form of a language specific to a particular area or group.

Vocal prominence or emphasis given to a particular syllable, word, or phrase.

The term dialect (from Latin dialectus, dialectos, from the Ancient Greek word διάλεκτος, diálektos 'discourse', from διά, diá 'through' and λέγω, légō 'I speak') can refer to either of two distinctly different types of linguistic phenomena: a variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. Under this definition, the dialects or varieties of a particular language are closely related and are often mutually intelligible, especially if close to one another on the dialect continuum.

One determined by the regional or social background of the speaker.

A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group

One determined by the phonetic characteristics of the speaker's native language carried over to that speaker's use of another language.

A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists

A mark or symbol used in the printing and writing of certain languages to indicate the vocal quality to be given to a particular letter

A variety of language that with other varieties constitutes a single language of which no single variety is standard

A mark or symbol used in printing and writing to indicate the stressed syllables of a spoken word.

The language peculiar to the members of a group, especially in an occupation; jargon

Rhythmically significant stress in a line of verse.

The manner or style of expressing oneself in language or the arts.

Emphasis or prominence given to a note or chord, as by an increase in volume or extended duration.

A language considered as part of a larger family of languages or a linguistic branch. Not in scientific use

A mark representing this.

A lect (often a regional or minority language) as part of a group or family of languages, especially if they are viewed as a single language, or if contrasted with a standardized idiom that is considered the 'true' form of the language (for example, Cantonese as contrasted with Mandarin Chinese or Bavarian as contrasted with Standard German).

A mark used as a superscript to distinguish among variables represented by the same symbol.

A variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular area, community, or social group, differing from other varieties of the same language in relatively minor ways as regards grammar, phonology, and lexicon.

A mark used as a superscript to indicate the first derivative of a variable.

(pejorative) Language that is perceived as substandard or wrong.

A mark or one of several marks used as a superscript to indicate a unit, such as feet (′) and inches (") in linear measurement.

A language existing only in an oral or non-standardized form, especially a language spoken in a developing country or an isolated region.

A distinctive feature or quality, such as a feature that accentuates, contrasts with, or complements a decorative style.

A variant of a non-standardized programming language.

Something that accentuates or contrasts something else, as a touch of color that makes the features of an image stand out.

(ornithology) A variant form of the vocalizations of a bird species restricted to a certain area or population.

Particular importance or interest; emphasis

Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language; tongue; form of speech.

To stress or emphasize the pronunciation of

The form of speech of a limited region or people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire dialect; the dialect of the learned.

To mark with a printed accent.

The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people;

To focus attention on; accentuate

A regional or social variety of a language with distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

(linguistics) A higher-pitched or stronger (louder or longer) articulation of a particular syllable of a word or phrase in order to distinguish it from the others or to emphasize it.

Language patterns that set apart a subgroup of speakers.

(figuratively) Emphasis or importance in general.

(orthography) A mark or character used in writing, in order to indicate the place of the spoken accent, or to indicate the nature or quality of the vowel marked.

Modulation of the voice in speaking; the manner of speaking or pronouncing; a peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice, expressing emotion; tone.

The distinctive manner of pronouncing a language associated with a particular region, social group, etc., whether of a native speaker or a foreign speaker; the phonetic and phonological aspects of a dialect.

A manner of pronunciation suggesting that the speaker is from a different region; a foreign accent.

(sign languages) A distinctive manner of producing a sign language, such as someone who does not normally use a certain sign language might have when using it.

A word; a significant tone or sound.

Expressions in general; speech.

Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

(music) A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.

(music) A special emphasis of a tone, even in the weaker part of the measure.

(music) A mark used to represent this special emphasis.The third and fourth symbols are accents (marks used to represent special emphasis in music).

(music) The rhythmical accent, which marks phrases and sections of a period.

(mathematics) A prime symbol.

Emphasis laid on a part of an artistic design or composition; an emphasized detail, in particular a detail in sharp contrast to its surroundings.

A very small gemstone set into a piece of jewellery.

(archaic) Utterance.

(transitive) To express the accent of vocally; to utter with accent.

(transitive) To mark emphatically; to emphasize; to accentuate; to make prominent.

(transitive) To mark with written accents.

A superior force of voice or of articulative effort upon some particular syllable of a word or a phrase, distinguishing it from the others.

A mark or character used in writing, and serving to regulate the pronunciation; esp.: (a) a mark to indicate the nature and place of the spoken accent; (b) a mark to indicate the quality of sound of the vowel marked; as, the French accents.

Modulation of the voice in speaking; manner of speaking or pronouncing; peculiar or characteristic modification of the voice; tone; as, a foreign accent; a French or a German accent.

A word; a significant tone

Stress laid on certain syllables of a verse.

A regularly recurring stress upon the tone to mark the beginning, and, more feebly, the third part of the measure.

A mark placed at the right hand of a letter, and a little above it, to distinguish magnitudes of a similar kind expressed by the same letter, but differing in value, as y´, y.

To express the accent of (either by the voice or by a mark); to utter or to mark with accent.

To mark emphatically; to emphasize.

Distinctive manner of oral expression;

Special importance or significance;

The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people;

The relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch);

A diacritical mark used to indicate stress or placed above a vowel to indicate a special pronunciation

To stress, single out as important;

Put stress on; utter with an accent;

The distinctive way of pronouncing a language.

Pronunciation patterns characteristic of a group of speakers.

The unique sound qualities that distinguish speakers.

Yes, languages often have numerous accents based on regions or other factors.

Everyone has an accent based on their regional or social background; some might be perceived as "neutral" in certain contexts.

Dialects can emerge from historical, social, or geographical isolation and evolution.

Accent focuses on pronunciation, while dialect includes pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Yes, accents can change with prolonged exposure to different speech patterns.

Yes, dialects can vary regionally or socially within a language.

Yes, pronunciation (or accent) is one component of a dialect.