Dialects

Dialect: neutral label that refers to any variety of a language that is shared by a group of speakers

Standard English: a dialect of American English

• Formal and informal versions 

• Formal Standard English: applied primarily to written language and the most formal language situations

• Informal Standard English: takes into account the members of the speaking community

  • relies far more heavily on grammar than pronunciation

Vernacular dialects: varieties of spoken American English that are considered outside Informal Standard English

 Regional dialects: correspond to various geographical locations

• North, south, midland, and west

Social dialects: dialects which are generally related to socioeconomic status

Ethnic dialects: defined according to race, culture, or ethnicity

• Race: biological label that is defined in terms of observable physical features and biological characteristics

• Culture: way of life developed by a group of individuals to meet psychosocial needs

  • values, norms, beliefs, attitudes, behavioral styles and tradition

• Ethnicity: commonalities such as religion, nationality, and region

African American Vernacular English: systematic, rule-governed dialect that is spoken by many African American people within the US 

• Sometimes referred to as Black English or African American English

Code switching: aka code mixing. a developmental process in which English language learners alternate between language 1 and  language 2

• also refers to the changing back and forth between dialects