Dialect

A dialect would be a usually regional variation of a language, and is not a separate language - it would be understandable by any speaker of the parent language. For example, any English speaker would understand the dialect of English spoken in the Appalachian area of the United States.

A regional language, on the other hand, is a different language existing in a certain region of a co

Strictly speaking, a "dialect" is any variety of a language that is used by a particular group of speakers. In common usage, a "dialect" tends to mean a variety, other than a standard or "central" or prestige variety, that is characteristic of a particular region. For example, in the UK one might talk of Yorkshire dialect or a West Country dialect, those being regions of England.

GPYStrictly speaking, a "dialect" is any variety of a language that is used by a particular group of speakers. In common usage, a "dialect" tends to mean a variety, other than a standard or "central" or prestige variety, that is characteristic of a particular region. For example, in the UK one might talk of Yorkshire dialect or a West Country dialect, those being regions

TakaWhat about "local language", GPY?

A dialect is a variety of a language. When you use the word "dialect", it will normally be clear from the context what the "parent" language is. For example, Yorkshire dialect is a dialect of English. "local language", on the other hand, just means a language that is spoken in a locality. For example, in the context

You said "strictly speaking." Does it mean that in reality "local/regional language" is sometimes loosely used as "dialect"?

"Local language" could mean a dialect, or a regional language, or something else, depending on the context. For example, in certain areas of Louisiana, "local language" would mean French, a regional language. In certain areas of Appalachia, "local language" would mean the Appalachian dialect of English, a dialect of English. In certain areas of some cities in the US, heavily settled by Vietname

TakaYou said "strictly speaking." Does it mean that in reality "local/regional language" is sometimes loosely used as "dialect"?

"local language" and (as Anon mentioned) "regional language" typically refer to just "a language", like French, or English, or Japanese. A dialect is a variety of a language. For example, in Japan there is the Kansai dialect.

I see. Thanks, GPY!

(Anon, I wish you would name yourself)

GPYFor example, if I can understand some standard Japanese, I could say "I went to Osaka, but I couldn't understand the local language", referring to the dialect there rather than Japanese per se.

But .. (as I meant to go on to say!) ... if, without any other background context, I referred the "local language" in Osaka, people would probably assume that I just