Routledge Dictionary of Language and Linguistics
dialect [Grk diálektos ‘common language’]
A linguistic system (in the sense of langue (
langue vs parole)) that (a) shows a high degree of similarity to other systems so that at least partial mutual intelligibility is possible; (b) is tied to a specific region in such a way that the regional distribution of the system does not overlap with an area covered by another such system; (c) does not have a written or standardized form, i.e. does not have officially standardized orthographic and grammatical rules. Apart from this narrow definition which describes, for example, the situation in Britain, the term ‘dialect’ is used by linguists in various other senses. Note, for example, the broader use of ‘dialects’ to refer to the various languages that stem from a single ancestral language, such as the ‘Romance dialects’ from Latin.
In the investigation of the conditions and the origin of the dialectal structure ( dialectology), dialects must be defined as individual languages in which extralinguistic aspects like topography (mountains and rivers as natural borders), trade routes, and political and religious centers are taken into account alongside strictly linguistic criteria. Seen from a genetic and historical perspective, dialects must be considered older than standardized languages and can, therefore, in their modern form, be seen as a reflex of a historical development. Since dialects—owing to their oral tradition and lack of standardization—are ‘more natural’ than standardized languages, they are particularly suited for testing linguistic hypotheses about historical processes, as is evident in both neogrammarian ( Neogrammarians) and structuralist ( structuralism) investigations. More recent investigations of dialect have been increasingly influenced by the sociolinguistic approach. These focus above all on the different uses of dialect and standard language, the greater private use of dialect as well as possible correlations between dialect and social class. ( also sociolinguistics)
References
Milroy, J. and L.Milroy (eds) 1993. Real English: the grammar of English dialects in the British Isles. London.
Noble, C.A.M. 1983.
Modern German dialects. New York.
Orton, H. 1962. Survey of English dialects: an introduction. Leeds.
Orton H. et al. 1962–71. Survey of English dialects: basic material, 4 vols. Leeds.
Russ, C.V.J. 1990. The dialects of modern German. London.
Trudgill, P. 1983. On dialect: social and geographical perspectives. New York.
——1994. Dialects. London.
——and J.K.Chambers (eds) 1991. English dialects: studies in grammatical variation. London.
dialectology
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