Understanding dialect versus language is essential to grasp how languages evolve, why people speak differently in different places, and how these differences can create problems with language services such as translation. Recognizing this difference allows to appreciate the rich diversity of how people communicate worldwide. However, this topic is confusing because the terms "language" and "dialect" are used interchangeably.
In this blog, we will clarify our concepts by understanding the difference between these two.
Dialect means the variation of a language that is spoken by a group of particular people, communities, and social groups. It has unique features, often shaped by historical, geographical, and social factors, that make it different from the standard form of the language. The following are the key characteristics of a dialect:
Here are the examples of dialects within major languages:
Let’s hear from linguists first. According to Ferdinand de Saussure , language is the faculty of articulating words. While Edward Sapir defines language as a purely human and non-instinctive method of communicating ideas, emotions, and desires by means of a system of voluntarily produced symbols. You might find it hard to swallow what language is, under the shadow of this complex structure of words.
In simple words, a language is a structured system of communication that allows people to share information, emotions, and ideas. It binds people together, creating a shared understanding through words, sounds, and symbols. Languages typically have a set of rules, which we often call grammar and vocabulary. Their rules ensure that people in a community can communicate clearly and effectively.
In essence, language is more than just words; it’s a dynamic and complex tool that shapes human society and communication.
Language and dialects are more than just tools for communication. They shape identities, represent societal values, and are deeply tied to cultural heritage. Moreover, they play a significant role in preserving history and fostering community connections.
Now that you know the basic concept of language, dialect, and their importance, it is easy to understand the difference between language and dialect.
While dialects are subcategories of languages and both are systems of communication, they differ in formality, recognition, and usage.
| Aspect | Language | Dialect |
|---|---|---|
| Formality | Languages are often standardized, with established grammar and vocabulary. | Dialects are more fluid, reflecting regional or social variations. |
| Recognition | Languages typically have official or national status, often recognized by governments or institutions. | Dialects usually lack formal recognition and are seen as regional or social variations of a language. |
| Literature | Languages often have extensive written forms, including literature, media, and academic work. | Dialects may lack formal literature or written records, relying heavily on oral traditions. |
Here, we have covered some of the important languages and their dialects. You will get to know how different dialects of the same language differ from each other.
Did you know Arabic has more than 25 dialects, some of which are distinct enough that speakers from different regions might struggle to understand one another? Arabic is a member of the Afroasiatic language family.
With over 422 million speakers, Arabic is the 5th most spoken language in the world. It holds significant cultural, historical, and religious importance. With the passage of time, the Arabic language has evolved from Classical to Modern Standard Arabic. The latest version is used in formal settings, such as official documents, media, and literature.
Modern Arabic has various dialects spoken in diverse regions and differs in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Look at the table below:
| Aspect | Egyptian Arabic | Levantine Arabic | Gulf Arabic | Yemeni Arabic | Iraqi Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Region | Egypt | Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain | Yemen, southern Saudi Arabia | Iraq |
| Vocabulary | Loanwords from English, French, and Turkish | Blend of native and borrowed terms | Persian and English loanwords | Retains many archaic words and structures | Significant Turkish and Persian loanwords |
| Grammar | Simplified; less use of case endings | Simplified; verbs and pronouns vary locally | Conserves classical structures in some areas | Strong links to Classical Arabic grammar | Mix of classical features and modern simplifications |
German (Deutsch) is a West Germanic language. It is a very old language and belongs to the Indo-European language family. From Old High German to Middle High German, and finally, it evolved into Modern Standard German, Hochdeutsch which is used in education, government, and media.
With over 133 million speakers, German language is the most widely spoken native language in European countries like Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. German is one of the official languages of the European Union and the key language in science, academia, and business.
This specific language shows considerable regional dialectal diversity that mirrors centuries of cultural and historical development.
| Aspect | Bavarian | Swabian | Low German | Saxon | Alemannic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Bavaria (southern Germany) and parts of Austria | Baden-Württemberg (southwestern Germany) | Northern Germany, especially rural areas | Eastern Germany, particularly Saxony | Southwestern Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Alsace (France) |
| Pronunciation | Broad vowels, distinct diphthongs | Softened consonants ('st' becomes 'sch') | Closer to Dutch and English sounds than High German | Pronunciation shifts like 'ch' to 'sch' | Distinct pronunciation of vowels and consonants |
| Grammar | Simplified grammatical structures, reduced case endings | Moderate simplification of grammatical rules | Simplified grammar compared to High German | Relatively standard grammar but with local idiosyncrasies | Strong divergence from Standard German grammar |
Mandarin Chinese belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It has over 1.35 billion speakers, which makes it the most widely spoken language in the world.
Being the official language of the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, Mandarin is also one of the official languages of Singapore. It is a standard language in schools, government institutes, and media.
Though Mandarin is the official language, there are many other dialects and regional variations of Chinese, which vary greatly in terms of lexicon, grammar, and phonological differences.
| Aspect | Cantonese | Hokkien (Min Nan) | Shanghainese (Wu) | Hakka | Gan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau | Fujian, Taiwan, Southeast Asia | Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu | Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, overseas communities | Jiangxi and surrounding areas |
| Pronunciation | Retains classical Chinese pronunciation features | Distinct sounds and vocabulary | Features voiced and voiceless sounds not in Mandarin | Shares some similarities with Cantonese but distinct | Includes unique local sounds and vocabulary |
| Grammar | Relatively conservative; retains archaic structures | Shares some features with classical Chinese grammar | Significantly different from Mandarin grammar | Preserves some archaic Chinese grammar features | Similar to Mandarin but with regional variations |
Russian has roots in the Indo-European family from the Slavic branch. It is natively spoken by about 260 million people across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
The Russian language employs a rich inflection system and relies on six grammatical cases to express syntactic relationships. Its vocabulary derives partly from Church Slavonic and partly from French, German, and English during different periods in Russian history. Standard Russian comes from the Moscow dialect used for formal situations such as education, media, and administration.
Moreover, it also exhibits significant regional variations, each with different lexical semantics and grammar rules. These dialects are divided into three main groups: Northern, Central, and Southern, with further divisions.
| Aspect | Northern Russian Dialects | Southern Russian Dialects | Central Russian Dialects | Siberian Dialects | Uralic Influences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Northern European Russia (e.g., Arkhangelsk, Vologda) | Southern Russia (e.g., Voronezh, Rostov) | Central Russia (e.g., Moscow and surrounding areas) | Siberia and the Russian Far East | Ural Mountains region, interacting with Uralic and Turkic languages |
| Pronunciation | Less vowel reduction, retention of older features (e.g., 'o' instead of reduced 'a') | Fricative 'g' sound (similar to 'h'), greater vowel reduction | Standardized pronunciation, a mix of northern and southern features | Simplified pronunciation influenced by isolation | Loanwords and phonetic influences from local languages |
| Vocabulary | Unique terms related to climate and traditions | Archaic words and idiomatic expressions | Basis of Standard Russian vocabulary | Influences from indigenous Siberian languages | Unique local vocabulary shaped by multilingual interactions |
| Grammar | Preservation of archaic linguistic forms | Use of older grammatical structures | Blends features of both northern and southern grammar | Simplifications and adaptations in grammar | Adapted grammar influenced by contact with non-Slavic languages |
Portuguese, a Romance language, derives from Latin and is closest to Spanish, Galician, and Italian. It is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and several other countries worldwide.
The language is widely spoken globally by 265 million speakers. Portuguese is a language rich in culture, rooted in Celtic, Germanic, Arabic, and Latin.
The Portuguese language is standardized both in Portugal and Brazil, which led to the development of two large variants: European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese. It is further divided into African and Asian dialects.
| Aspect | Brazilian Portuguese | European Portuguese | African Portuguese | Asian Portuguese |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Brazil | Portugal and former colonies in Europe and Africa | Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe | East Timor, Macau, Goa (India), and other Asian regions |
| Pronunciation | Open vowels, nasal sounds, clearer rhythm | Vowel reduction, stronger enunciation of consonants | A mix of European Portuguese and local influences | Influenced by local languages and accents |
| Vocabulary | Modern influences, indigenous and African borrowings | Older terms, loanwords from French and European languages | Incorporates terms from African languages for cultural and local references | Loanwords from Malay, Chinese, and Indian languages |
| Grammar | Simplified verb conjugations, less use of formal forms | More formal verb usage, retention of traditional forms | Follows European Portuguese grammar with regional adaptations. | Simplified grammar influenced by local linguistic structures |
Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is the national language of Indonesia and is spoken by over 200 million people. As a standardized form of Malay, it also acts as a single language to unify a nation with more than 700 local languages and dialects.
Written in the Latin alphabet, Indonesian language is a relatively uncomplicated language with simple grammar, which makes it easily accessible for both native and non-native speakers.
Indonesian has borrowed words from many languages, such as Sanskrit, Arabic, Dutch, Portuguese, and English, which is a reflection of the country's rich history of trade and colonization. Although Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, local dialects and regional languages are spoken by many people, and most Indonesians are bilingual or multilingual.
| Aspect | Javanese | Sundanese | Balinese | Minangkabau |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Central and East Java | West Java | Bali | West Sumatra |
| Pronunciation | Hierarchical speech tones depending on social status | Melodic and soft pronunciation | Unique phonetics with influences from religious vocabulary | Distinct from standard Malay but closely related |
| Vocabulary | Influences Indonesian vocabulary; rich in traditional terms | Rich in proverbs and idiomatic expressions | Specialized terms for religious and cultural contexts | Strong oral tradition with unique expressions |
| Grammar | Complex speech levels | Less hierarchical than Javanese but retains formal speech | Complex system of honorifics and speech levels | Simpler grammar compared to Javanese |
Hindi is one of the Indo-Aryan languages belonging to the Indo-European family. It has 610 million speakers worldwide and is the official language of India besides English. Hindi language is used as the primary language for communication throughout northern and central India.
Written in Devanagari script, the Hindustani dialect evolved from medieval Sanskrit mixed with some words of Persian, Arabic, and Turkic languages. India's vast geographical and cultural diversity has given rise to numerous Hindi dialects and regional variations, many of which are considered distinct languages due to their unique characteristics.
| Aspect | Standard Hindi | Bhojpuri | Haryanvi | Awadhi | Braj Bhasha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Nationwide | Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand | Haryana and surrounding northern areas | Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh | Braj region (UP and Rajasthan) |
| Pronunciation | Standardized and consistent pronunciation | Softened consonants, distinctive rural accents | Rustic and tonal, with distinct local phonetics | Poetic and rhythmic, with shared features with Braj and Bhojpuri | Softer consonants, melodic for poetry |
| Vocabulary | Derived largely from Sanskrit, with some Persian and Arabic influences | Unique rural lexicon with influences from local traditions | Includes many Punjabi-influenced terms | Devotional and folk themes, with historical significance | Rich in Krishna-centric devotional vocabulary |
| Grammar | Standardized inflection and grammar rules | Simplified grammar, shares traits with Maithili and Magahi | Simplified grammar compared to standard Hindi | Rich in literary and folk expressions | Complex, suited for devotional and literary usage |
dialects of the same language can help with interpretation and localization.
Localization is adapting the message to resonate with the target audience’s regional preferences. And interpretation is the conversion of a verbal message from one language to another. Dialects reflect regional variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural nuances.
These elements influence how a message is perceived and understood. Here’s why dialect awareness matters:
By introducing linguistic, cultural, and contextual variations, dialects significantly impact translation, influencing the tone and meaning of the message. Lack of awareness about these differences can lead to misinterpretation, offensive translation, and loss of nuance.
Here is how dialects affect translation:
Selecting the right translation services agency is essential to ensure precise, culturally sensitive, and effective communication in this globalized world.
Depending on the industry, language, and region, your translation requirements may vary. So, choosing the right partner matters.
Here are the traits that will help you to find out the best translation services option:
Addressing some commonly asked questions for your help!
Here is the list of languages categorized by the number of native speakers, second language speakers, and total number of speakers.
| Language | First Language Speakers (millions) | Second Language Speakers (millions) | Total Speakers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 380 | 1077 | 1450 |
| Mandarin | 1138 | 200 | 1340 |
| Hindi | 345 | 266 | 610 |
| Spanish | 485 | 74 | 559 |
| French | 81 | 266 | 310 |
A language family is a group of languages that share a common origin or descent from a proto-language, a single ancestral language.
The branched-out or sub-grouped languages evolve through different processes, like syntactic change, sound change, and morphological change. These changes directly reflect the historical and cultural development of the speakers.
Examples of Major Language Families:
Language families highlight the interconnectedness of human languages and help linguists trace their historical development and relationships.
Chinese. Evolved over thousands of years due to cultural diversity and geographical isolation, Chinese has divided into numerous regional variations and dialects, including:
No. All dialects are not mutually intelligible. Mutual intelligibility depends on how closely related the dialects are and how much their pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar differ.
For example:
Despite being interconnected, languages and dialects are distinct in their scope and influence. While languages are standardized means of communication across larger regions, dialects capture the distinct qualities, traditions, and identities of local communities. Understanding the contrasts between the two helps us appreciate the rich diversity of human expression.
Although it is complex to identify the differences between different dialects, it is important for accurate communication across cultures and regions.
At MarsTranslation, we have native experts with industry-specific expertise to overcome cultural and linguistic gaps. We help you navigate the dialectical nuances and provide localized content in 230+ languages to connect with global clients. Get in touch to know more!
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