Dialect vs. Slang — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Dialect and Slang
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Dialect
The term dialect (from Latin dialectus, dialectos, from the Ancient Greek word διάλεκτος, diálektos 'discourse', from διά, diá 'through' and λέγω, légō 'I speak') can refer to either of two distinctly different types of linguistic phenomena: a variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. Under this definition, the dialects or varieties of a particular language are closely related and are often mutually intelligible, especially if close to one another on the dialect continuum.
Slang
Slang is language (words, phrases, and usages) of an informal register. It also sometimes refers to the language generally exclusive to the members of particular in-groups prefer over the common vocabulary of a standard language in order to establish group identity, exclude outsiders, or both.
Dialect
A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group
The Lancashire dialect seemed like a foreign language
Slang
A kind of language occurring chiefly in casual and playful speech, made up typically of coinages and figures of speech that are deliberately used in place of standard terms for added raciness, humor, irreverence, or other effect.
Dialect
A regional or social variety of a language distinguished by pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary, especially a variety of speech differing from the standard literary language or speech pattern of the culture in which it exists
Cockney is a dialect of English.
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Slang
Language peculiar to a group; argot or jargon
Thieves' slang.
Dialect
A variety of language that with other varieties constitutes a single language of which no single variety is standard
The dialects of Ancient Greek.
Slang
To use slang.
Dialect
The language peculiar to the members of a group, especially in an occupation; jargon
The dialect of science.
Slang
To use angry and abusive language
Persuaded the parties to quit slanging and come to the bargaining table.
Dialect
The manner or style of expressing oneself in language or the arts.
Slang
To attack with abusive language; vituperate
"They slanged each other with every foul name they had learned from the age of three" (Virginia Henley).
Dialect
A language considered as part of a larger family of languages or a linguistic branch. Not in scientific use
Spanish and French are Romance dialects.
Slang
Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.
Dialect
A lect (often a regional or minority language) as part of a group or family of languages, especially if they are viewed as a single language, or if contrasted with a standardized idiom that is considered the 'true' form of the language (for example, Cantonese as contrasted with Mandarin Chinese or Bavarian as contrasted with Standard German).
Slang
Language that is unique to a particular profession or subject; jargon.
Dialect
A variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular area, community, or social group, differing from other varieties of the same language in relatively minor ways as regards grammar, phonology, and lexicon.
Slang
The specialized language of a social group, sometimes used to conceal one's meaning from outsiders; cant.
Dialect
(pejorative) Language that is perceived as substandard or wrong.
Slang
(countable) A particular variety of slang; the slang used by a particular group.
Dialect
A language existing only in an oral or non-standardized form, especially a language spoken in a developing country or an isolated region.
Slang
(countable) An item of slang; a slang word or expression.
Dialect
A variant of a non-standardized programming language.
Home computers in the 1980s had many incompatible dialects of BASIC.
Slang
(India) A curse word.
Dialect
(ornithology) A variant form of the vocalizations of a bird species restricted to a certain area or population.
Slang
Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
Dialect
Means or mode of expressing thoughts; language; tongue; form of speech.
This book is writ in such a dialectAs may the minds of listless men affect.Bunyan.The universal dialect of the world.
Slang
A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
Dialect
The form of speech of a limited region or people, as distinguished from ether forms nearly related to it; a variety or subdivision of a language; speech characterized by local peculiarities or specific circumstances; as, the Ionic and Attic were dialects of Greece; the Yorkshire dialect; the dialect of the learned.
In the midst of this Babel of dialects there suddenly appeared a standard English language.
[Charles V.] could address his subjects from every quarter in their native dialect.
Slang
A counterfeit weight or measure.
Dialect
The usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people;
The immigrants spoke an odd dialect of English
He has a strong German accent
Slang
A travelling show, or one of its performances.
Slang
A hawker's license.
Slang
A watchchain.
Slang
To vocally abuse, or shout at.
Slang
To sell especially illegal drugs.
Slang
Any long, narrow piece of land; a promontory.
Slang
A fetter worn on the leg by a convict.
Slang
Low, vulgar, unauthorized language; a popular but unauthorized word, phrase, or mode of expression; also, the jargon of some particular calling or class in society; low popular cant; as, the slang of the theater, of college, of sailors, etc.
Slang
To address with slang or ribaldry; to insult with vulgar language.
Every gentleman abused by a cabman or slanged by a bargee was bound there and then to take off his coat and challenge him to fisticuffs.
Slang
Informal language consisting of words and expressions that are not considered appropriate for formal occasions; often vituperative or vulgar;
Their speech was full of slang expressions
Slang
A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);
They don't speak our lingo
Slang
Use slang or vulgar language
Slang
Fool or hoax;
The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone
You can't fool me!
Slang
Abuse with coarse language
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