Dialect vs. Vernacular — What's the Difference?

Distinct vocabulary within a language family.

The everyday language of ordinary people.

A subset of language with pronunciation variations.

Native language of a specific area.

A regional language variation with unique syntax.

Common language excluding professional jargon.

A social group's linguistic expression.

Colloquial speech distinct from formal language.

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.

A vernacular or vernacular language refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, normally spoken informally rather than written, and seen as of lower status than more codified forms.

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

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region

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

Architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings

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

(of language) spoken as one's mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language.

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

(of architecture) concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings

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

The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language.

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

A variety of such everyday language specific to a social group or region

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).

The specialized vocabulary of a particular trade, profession, or group

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.

The common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal.

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

Native to or commonly spoken by the members of a particular country or region.

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

Using the native language of a region, especially as distinct from the literary language

A variant of a non-standardized programming language.

Relating to or expressed in the native language or dialect.

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

Of or being an indigenous building style using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament, especially as distinguished from academic or historical architectural styles.

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

Occurring or existing in a particular locality; endemic

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.

Relating to or designating the common, nonscientific name of a biological species.

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

The language of a people or a national language.

A form of a language with grammatical differences.

Everyday speech or dialect, including colloquialisms, as opposed to standard, literary, liturgical, or scientific idiom.

Language unique to a particular group of people.

A language lacking standardization or a written form.

Indigenous spoken language, as distinct from a literary or liturgical language such as Ecclesiastical Latin.

(architecture) A style of architecture involving local building materials and styles, not imported.

Of or pertaining to everyday language, as opposed to standard, literary, liturgical, or scientific idiom.

Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature.

(architecture) Of or related to local building materials and styles; not imported.

(art) Connected to a collective memory; not imported.

Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature; native; indigenous; - now used chiefly of language; as, English is our vernacular language.

The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the common forms of expression in a particular locality, opposed to literary or learned forms.

A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);

The everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)

Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;

Nonstandard language used in daily communication.

Vernacular is the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a specific region, often contrasting with formal or official language.

A dialect is a form of a language that is spoken in a particular geographic area or by a specific group of people, characterized by unique pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Yes, dialects can be considered vernacular when they are the common, everyday speech of a particular region.

Vernacular is not always a dialect; it refers broadly to everyday language, which can include the standard language.

Dialects develop through geographical, social, or ethnic separation, which leads to unique linguistic features.

Vernacular often gives literature a sense of authenticity and local color by reflecting the speech patterns of a region or group.

Many dialects are in danger of disappearing due to globalization and the dominance of standard languages in media and education.

Dialects have their own internal rules and structures, although these may differ from the standard language norms.

People switch between dialect and vernacular for reasons such as context, audience, or to express identity.

Yes, a person can speak or understand multiple dialects, often due to migration, education, or exposure to different language communities.

Vernacular is proper in its context of everyday communication but may not be considered the standard in formal settings.

In many societies, a standard dialect, often based on the speech of the upper class or capital region, is considered the prestige dialect.

Yes, dialects can influence the vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar of a standard language over time.

Vernacular is preserved through oral tradition, local literature, music, and efforts to document and study everyday language.

Studying dialects and vernacular involves fieldwork, recordings, and analysis of speech patterns among different language communities.