CSP
What is a Dialect?
A dialect is a form of a language spoken by a group of people in a particular region or community. It is a variety of a language that has its own words, grammar, and pronunciation. Though dialects belong to the same language, they may sound different from one another. Every large language has several dialects. People from different areas often use the same language but in different ways.
A dialect is not a separate language. It is a branch or version of the same language. When people speak, they naturally develop special words and ways of speaking. This depends on their history, geography, culture, and traditions. So, dialects express local identity.
For instance, English has many dialects. British English, American English, Australian English, and Indian English are all dialects of the English language. Inside Britain alone, there are many local dialects such as Scottish English, Cockney, or Yorkshire English. They differ in sound, spelling, and word use.
According to linguist Leonard Bloomfield, “A dialect is a language variety spoken by a group of people set off from others geographically or socially.”
In short, a dialect is a living part of human communication. It helps people feel close to their region, family, and tradition.
Features of a Dialect
- Vocabulary: People use different words for the same thing.
Example: In British English, people say lorry; in American English, they say truck. - Grammar: Sentence patterns can vary.
Example: Some speakers say, I done it, instead of I did it. - Pronunciation: The way people speak sounds different.
Example: Dance in British English may sound like dahnce, while in American English it sounds like dæns. - Cultural Connection: A dialect often carries the culture and history of the speakers.
A dialect is a natural form of speech. It is neither better nor worse than any other. But sometimes people wrongly think their own way of speaking is more correct. This is how the idea of a “standard language” begins.
What is a Standard Language?
A standard language is a chosen and accepted variety used in schools, government, and media. It becomes the official or common form that people understand widely. Standardization helps in education, communication, and writing.
Every standard language once started as a dialect. Over time, it was selected, shaped, and spread. It became fixed through books, grammar rules, and formal teaching.
Linguist Haugen says, “A standard language is an idealized norm selected, codified, and accepted by a speech community.”
The Process of Standardization
The standardization of a language does not happen in one day. It passes through several stages. The main steps are:
1. Selection
At first, one dialect is chosen among many. The chosen one usually belongs to the powerful region or social group. This decision is often based on political, cultural, or economic influence.
For instance, in England, the dialect spoken in London and the East Midlands became the base for Standard English because of trade, politics, and printing centers.
2. Codification
In this stage, grammar, spelling, and pronunciation are fixed. Dictionaries, grammar books, and textbooks are created. They help people learn and write in the same way. Printing presses and writers help spread one form of language.
The invention of printing by William Caxton in the 15th century helped to fix English spelling and grammar. People began to use a common written form.
3. Elaboration
Now, the language grows richer. It adds words from science, literature, law, and other fields. It becomes ready for all purposes — from daily life to education and government. The standard language develops style and expression for every subject.
4. Acceptance
At last, people begin to accept this variety as the right and common one. It becomes the form taught in schools and used in official work. Other dialects continue to live but are often seen as local or informal.
When a standard language is widely accepted, it unites speakers from different places. It becomes the language of national identity.
Importance of Standardization
Standardization makes communication clear. It helps people read, write, and understand one another. It creates a uniform system for education and official matters. It supports literature and knowledge-sharing.
However, it should not destroy local dialects. Dialects keep languages rich and colorful. They carry cultural memories and human warmth. Every dialect has beauty and value.
Linguist Trudgill reminds us, “Standard languages are no more ‘correct’ than non-standard dialects; they are simply more socially accepted.”
Conclusion
A dialect is a natural form of speech belonging to a group or place. It gives identity and warmth. A standard language, on the other hand, is a selected and fixed variety used for common understanding. Through the stages of selection, codification, elaboration, and acceptance, a language becomes standardized.
Standardization helps in unity, education, and cultural growth. Yet, dialects remain vital to human diversity. A language grows strong when both the standard form and its dialects live together with respect.