Language vs. Dialect — What's the Difference?

A method of human communication consisting of words and structure.

A linguistic expression specific to a region, often viewed as informal.

A system of symbols or signs used for communication.

A social variation of a language that differentiates communities.

A particular style or form of verbal expression.

A specialized form of a language used by a particular group.

A non-verbal method of expression or communication.

A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar.

Programming languages.

A form of a language spoken in a particular area or by a particular group.

A language is a structured system of communication used by humans, based on speech and gesture (spoken language), sign, or often writing. The structure of language is its grammar and the free components are its vocabulary.

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.

Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols.

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

Such a system including its rules for combining its components, such as words.

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

Such a system as used by a nation, people, or other distinct community; often contrasted with dialect.

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

A system of signs, symbols, gestures, or rules used in communicating

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

(Computers) A system of symbols and rules used for communication with or between computers.

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

Body language; kinesics.

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

The special vocabulary and usages of a scientific, professional, or other group

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 characteristic style of speech or writing

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 particular manner of expression

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

The manner or means of communication between living creatures other than humans

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

Verbal communication as a subject of study.

A variant of a non-standardized programming language.

The wording of a legal document or statute as distinct from the spirit.

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

(countable) A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication.

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

(uncountable) The ability to communicate using words.

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.

(uncountable) A sublanguage: the slang of a particular community or jargon of a particular specialist field.

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

The expression of thought (the communication of meaning) in a specified way; that which communicates something, as language does.

A body of sounds, signs and/or signals by which animals communicate, and by which plants are sometimes also thought to communicate.

A computer language; a machine language.

(uncountable) Manner of expression.

(uncountable) The particular words used in a speech or a passage of text.

(uncountable) Profanity.

A languet, a flat plate in or below the flue pipe of an organ.

To communicate by language; to express in language.

An admonishment said in response to vulgar language.

Any means of conveying or communicating ideas;

The expression of ideas by writing, or any other instrumentality.

The forms of speech, or the methods of expressing ideas, peculiar to a particular nation.

The characteristic mode of arranging words, peculiar to an individual speaker or writer; manner of expression; style.

The inarticulate sounds by which animals inferior to man express their feelings or their wants.

The suggestion, by objects, actions, or conditions, of ideas associated therewith; as, the language of flowers.

The vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or department of knowledge; as, medical language; the language of chemistry or theology.

A race, as distinguished by its speech.

Any system of symbols created for the purpose of communicating ideas, emotions, commands, etc., between sentient agents.

Any set of symbols and the rules for combining them which are used to specify to a computer the actions that it is to take; also referred to as a computer lanugage or programming language; as, JAVA is a new and flexible high-level language which has achieved popularity very rapidly.

To communicate by language; to express in language.

A systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols;

(language) communication by word of mouth;

A system of words used in a particular discipline;

The cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication;

The mental faculty or power of vocal communication;

The text of a popular song or musical-comedy number;

Languages are complete systems of communication with their own set of rules, often not mutually intelligible, while dialects are variations of a language, usually mutually intelligible.

A dialect is a variation of a language that is specific to a region or group within a larger language-speaking population.

A language is a system of communication used by a particular community or country, often recognized officially.

No, dialects can be as complex as languages, but they are variations and do not have a separate standard form.

Dialects are generally not taught as standard curriculum in schools; more focus is given to the standard language form.

Dialects do not typically evolve into new languages; they evolve within the structure of an existing language.

The distinction often depends on social, political, and academic considerations rather than purely linguistic ones.

Dialects change due to influences such as migration, cultural exchange, and technological advancement.

Dialects are not considered full languages mainly because they lack the broad social and political recognition that languages typically have.

A language can have numerous dialects, depending on the geographic, social, and historical factors influencing the speakers.

Yes, individuals can speak multiple dialects of the same language, often depending on their regional or social upbringing.

Yes, many dialects have rich traditions of literature that reflect their unique cultural contexts.

Yes, dialects can influence the evolution of a standard language, contributing slang, expressions, and new word meanings.

Preserving dialects is important for cultural diversity and historical scholarship.

Dialects play a crucial role in reflecting and preserving local culture, history, and identity.