2. Regional DialectsRegional Dialects
• Regional variation in
pronunciation, in the choices
and forms of words, and in
syntax.
• Dialect geography: a map of
the distributions of various
linguistic features.
• Isogloss: a line drawn to show
a dialect boundary between
adjacent areas.
3. Dialect vs. AccentDialect vs. Accent
• The term dialect should not be confused
with the term accent.
Accent: the pronunciation
Dialect: the pronunciation, vocabulary, and
grammar
• The so-called ‘best’ English accent:
• The Received Pronunciation (RP)
• It is also called the Queen’s English, Oxford
English, and BBC English.
4. Social DialectsSocial Dialects
• Social dialects originate among social
groups and are mainly related to social
class, religion, and ethnicity.
• E.g. In Baghdad, the Christian, Jewish,
and Muslim inhabitants speak different
varieties of Arabic.
5. Styles, Registers, and BeliefsStyles, Registers, and Beliefs
• Styles: formal vs. informal
• Registers: associated with
occupational groups.
• Beliefs: judgement about
‘better’ or ‘worse’ varieties.
6. Styles, Registers, and BeliefsStyles, Registers, and Beliefs
• Styles: formal vs. informal
• Registers: associated with
occupational groups.
• Beliefs: judgement about
‘better’ or ‘worse’ varieties.
