What is a dialect?

A dialect is best described as a version of a language that is used by a particular group of people. This encompasses not just the vocabulary and grammar variations, but also the pronunciation patterns, idiomatic expressions, and even cultural features that characterize the way a specific group communicates. Dialects can emerge from geographic regions, social classes, or ethnic backgrounds and can reflect the history and identity of the communities that speak them.

While accents may refer to variations in pronunciation that often correspond to geographic regions, they do not encapsulate the full range of differences found in a dialect, which includes elements of grammar and vocabulary. A formal version of a language used in writing typically refers to standardized forms used in academic or official contexts, which do not represent the colloquial variations present in dialects. Additionally, it is not accurate to describe a dialect as a language that has no regional variations, as the essence of a dialect is its distinct use rooted in specific communities and regions.