A variation of a language spoken by a specific group of people is called what?

Question

This is why I wish dictionary.com had a search by definition feature. =/

Answer 1

In popular culture the term "dialect" is used to describe a variation of a language. However, in popular culture the term "dialect" carries negative connotations. It implies that the "dialect" is in some way inferior to the standard or "educated" form of that language.

An example of this in the United States would be "African American Vernacular English (AAVE)" This way of speaking would, in popular culture, be called a "dialect" since people would consider it inferior to "standard" or "formal" English.

However, in the field of Linguistics (the study of language) it is clear that there is no such thing as a "correct" or "incorrect" way of speaking. All language varieties are equally "correct." The only difference is that in a given society certain ways of speaking are considered "superior" due to the high status of the people who speak that way.

For example, in the U.S the English dialect that is considered "standard" by most people is the English that is heard on the News, or by "educated" people.

In linguistics every different way of speaking a certain language is technically a "dialect." The idea of "English" is very abstract. Nobody speaks "English", every single person speaks a "dialect" of English (whether that dialect is considered prestigious or not).

Answer 2

Dialect

Answer 3

Dialect.

Answer 4

Dialect.

Answer 5

A dialect.

Answer 6

Direlect

Answer 7

a dialect

Answer 8

If the group all belong to a certain region, it is a dialect.
If the group all belong to a certain profession, etc. then it is an argot.

Answer 9

dialect

Answer 10

dialect