Dialect

Etymology of Dialect

The word “dialect” originates from the Greek word dialectos means “way of speaking.” It entered English through Latin in which dialectus referred to a local language or speech. It first came into use in English in the 1560s to refer to regional variations in language or dialects.

Meanings of Dialect

A dialect is a form of spoken language in a particular region or by a specific group of people. It shows the use of that specific vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and wordplay. It distinguishes itself through regional, social, and geographical differences.

Dialect in Grammar

Grammatically, “dialect” is a noun, and its plural form is “dialects.” When used as the subject of a sentence, “dialect” requires a singular verb, while “dialects” requires a plural verb. For example, “The dialect of this region is fascinating,” versus “The dialects of this region are fascinating.”

Definition of Dialect

Dialect, is a literary device, which refers to a variety or form of a language that is spoken by a specific group of people or in a particular region. It is characterized by distinct differences in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and syntax that set it apart from the standard language. Various factors such as geography, history, social class, and cultural traditions impact dialect.

Types of Dialect

There are several types of dialects, including:

Dialect Category	Explanation	Examples
Regional Dialects	Dialects associated with specific geographic regions	British English, American English, Australian English, Scottish English
Social Dialects	Dialects associated with specific social groups or classes	Academic English, Blue-collar English, Teenage Slang
Ethnic Dialects	Dialects associated with specific ethnic or cultural groups	African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Chicano English
Standard Dialect	Widely recognized form used in formal settings, education, and media	Received Pronunciation (RP) in British English, Standard American English
Rural/Urban Dialects	Dialects that differ between rural and urban areas	Appalachian English, Urban African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
Historical Dialects	Dialectal variations prevalent in the past	Middle English, Old Norse-influenced English

Common Examples of Dialect

Some common examples include:

Dialect Name	Explanation	Examples
Cockney	It is a type of English spoken in the East End of London, characterized by rhyming slang and a distinctive pronunciation.	“Apples and pears” (stairs), “dog and bone” (phone)
Southern American English	A dialect of English spoken in the Southern United States, characterized by features such as the “y’all” pronoun and a distinctive drawl.	“Y’all” (you all), “fixin’ to” (getting ready to)
Scouse	A dialect of English spoken in Liverpool, characterized by a unique pronunciation and vocabulary.	“Sound” (good), “la” (term of address)
Geordie	It is a type of English spoken in the Northeast of England, characterized by a distinctive accent and vocabulary.	“Canny” (good), “bairn” (child)
AAVE	African American Vernacular English is a social dialect of English that is spoken by many African Americans, characterized by unique grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.	“Fixin’ to” (getting ready to), “yo” (you)
Glaswegian	It is a type of English spoken in Glasgow, Scotland, characterized by a unique pronunciation and vocabulary.	“Wee” (small), “bairn” (child)
Quebec French	A dialect of French spoken in Quebec, Canada, characterized by unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.	“Tabarnak” (expletive), “tuque” (winter hat)
Bavarian	It is a type of German spoken in Bavaria, characterized by a distinctive accent and vocabulary.	“Servus” (hello/goodbye), “Brezn” (pretzel)

Please note that the examples provided are just a glimpse of the vocabulary and features associated with each dialect. There is much more to explore within each dialect which include several elements.

Literary Examples of Dialect

1. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston:

This novel is written in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The dialect is used to convey the experiences and perspectives of the African American characters in the story, and to provide a sense of authenticity and cultural richness. For example, in this passage, the character Janie speaks in AAVE: “Ah done lived Grandma’s way, now Ah means tuh live mine.” (Chapter 1)

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee:

This novel uses Southern American English to convey the setting and characters of the story, which takes place in a small town in Alabama during the 1930s. For example, the character Miss Maudie speaks in a Southern dialect when she says, “We’re so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us.” (Chapter 5)

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain:

This novel is famous for its use of regional dialects, including Southern American English, African American Vernacular English, and various dialects of the Mississippi River region. The dialects are used to convey the characters’ backgrounds and social status, and to provide a sense of realism and humor. For example, Huck speaks in Southern dialect when he says, “I laid there, and had a good rest and a smoke out of my pipe, looking away into the sky; not a cloud in it.” (Chapter 16)

• Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck:

This novella uses a variety of dialects to convey the different backgrounds and personalities of the characters. For example, the character Crooks, who is African American, speaks in a dialect that is characterized by unique grammar and vocabulary. When he talks to Lennie in Chapter 4, he says, “I ain’t a southern Negro, and I never seen no piece of jailbait worse than her.”

Suggested Readings

1. Eckert, Penelope, and Sally McConnell-Ginet. Language and Gender. Cambridge University Press, 2013.
2. Labov, Williams. Dialect Diversity in America: The Politics of Language Change. University of Virginia Press, 2012.
3. Labov, William. Principles of Linguistic Change: Volume 1: Internal Factors. John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
4. Mufwene, Salikoko S. The Ecology of Language Evolution. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
5. Rickford, John R. African American Vernacular English: Features, Evolution, Educational Implications. Blackwell Publishing, 2000.
6. Trudgill, Peter. Sociolinguistics: An Introduction to Language and Society. Penguin, 2000.
7. Wolfram, Walt, and Natalie Schilling-Estes. American English: Dialects and Variation. Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.