dialect

What does “dialect” mean?

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

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages related to linguistics, culture, or social identity, emphasizing the diversity and richness of language as it varies across regions or communities. It highlights not just the differences in speech but also how language can reflect social affiliations and cultural heritage, distinguishing it from broader terms like "language" that do not convey regional or social specificity.

Common Confusions

dialect implies a specific regional or social variation of a language, while language usually suggests the broader system of communication that encompasses multiple dialects and forms.

Example Sentences

• Home computers in the 1980s had many incompatible dialects of BASIC.

• His thick Southern dialect made it difficult for the city folks to understand his stories about life on the farm.