Language vs Dialect vs Accent: What's The Difference?

Summary

The transcript humorously explores the difference between languages, dialects, and accents. It highlights that while languages and dialects are often used interchangeably, they have distinct definitions. A well-known saying suggests that a language is a dialect with political backing, and the classification between the two is often political. Examples like Scandinavian languages and Chinese dialects illustrate this complexity. The video also explains how dialects influence vocabulary and grammar, while accents affect pronunciation. It concludes with a playful comparison of American, British, and other varieties of English.

Takeaways

• 😀 Some people humorously refer to different varieties of English as separate languages, like American, Canadian, Australian, Irish, and English.
• 🤔 The terms 'language' and 'dialect' are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same thing.
• 📜 A famous quote by Yiddish scholar Max Weinreich says 'A language is a dialect with an army and a navy,' indicating the political nature of language classification.
• 🗺️ Languages are often separated by borders, even when they're mutually intelligible, like Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish.
• 🀄 The term 'Chinese' actually refers to a wide range of local dialects, many of which are not mutually intelligible.
• 🔬 Linguists often avoid using 'language' and 'dialect' because these terms can imply value judgments.
• ⚖️ Dialects can be seen as 'improper' speech, but they're as valid as any language.
• 📚 In academic contexts, people often refer to 'varieties' to avoid the issue of distinguishing languages and dialects.
• 🗣️ Dialects include vocabulary and grammar, while accents are about pronunciation.
• 🗨️ English is the language, American English is a dialect, and accents like 'I'm walking here!' reflect how dialects sound.

Q & A

Why does the person in the transcript say they speak 'American, Canadian, Australian, Irish, and English'?

The person is humorously treating different English-speaking accents or dialects as if they were entirely separate languages, highlighting how variations in language can be perceived as distinct.

What is the main difference between a language and a dialect according to the transcript?

The transcript suggests that the distinction between a language and a dialect is often political, with languages sometimes defined by national borders, while dialects are considered variations within a language.

What is the meaning of the quote, 'A language is a dialect with an army and a navy'?

This quote implies that what distinguishes a language from a dialect is often political power and recognition rather than linguistic differences. Languages are seen as more legitimate or official largely due to political factors.

Why might linguists avoid using the terms 'language' and 'dialect'?

Linguists often avoid these terms because they can carry value judgments, with dialects sometimes being unfairly associated with 'improper' speech. Instead, they prefer using 'variety' to avoid these biases.

What is the significance of calling something a 'variety' instead of a language or dialect?

Calling something a 'variety' is a neutral way to refer to a form of speech without implying hierarchy or correctness, avoiding the political and social implications of labeling it as a language or dialect.

How do Scandinavian languages like Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish challenge the concept of language versus dialect?

Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish are mentioned as being mutually intelligible, meaning speakers can generally understand each other. Despite this similarity, they are considered separate languages due to political and national distinctions.

What does the transcript say about the classification of languages spoken in China?

It points out that many dialects in China are grouped together under the label 'Chinese,' even though they may not be mutually intelligible, highlighting the complexity and political nature of language classification.

What is the relationship between accents and dialects according to the transcript?

An accent is described as a part of a dialect, specifically referring to the pronunciation of words, while a dialect includes differences in vocabulary and grammar.

Why does the speaker joke about speaking five 'varieties' instead of languages?

The joke is a play on the academic preference for using 'variety' to avoid the controversy of labeling speech as either a language or a dialect, highlighting the flexibility of these terms.

How does the transcript illustrate the concept of accent with an example?

The example 'I'm walking here!' is used to demonstrate an accent, showing how specific pronunciation features mark a way of speaking as distinct, without necessarily altering vocabulary or grammar.