Language refers to the system of communication used by humans, both verbally and written, allowing for efficient interaction within a society. There are two related terms, slang and dialect, which often cause confusion due to their similarities and overlap.
Dialect is derived from the Greek word Dialectos and refers to the patterns of a language used by a specific community. A dialect is a part of a language used in a particular geographical region, or by a specific class of people, often called a sociolect. A dialect remains a variety of a standard language, differing from a national language not only in words, but also in grammar and pronunciation.
Key Takeaways
- Slangs are words and phrases, while dialect is a variety of a language.
- Slang terms are a colorful way of speaking, not acceptable in formal occasions or among higher classes of society.
- Dialect is a way of speaking a language in a particular region or by a specific community in a country.
Slang includes words in a language that are considered inappropriate for use in formal written and spoken contexts. However, these words are accepted in some social settings. Slang terms are often used by younger people and are considered to lower the dignity of the speaker when used in a formal setting. Slang provides an alternative for speakers to deviate from standard forms of a language, with different categories of people having their own slang words. It has been observed that slang terms typically originate in the lower classes of society and usually move upwards. Slang terms do not have a long shelf life and they change with each generation.
Slang vs Dialect:
- Slangs are words and phrases, whereas dialect is a variety of a language.
- Slang terms are a colorful way of speaking that is not acceptable on formal occasions and among higher classes of a society.
- Slang words appear only in spoken language, as they are considered inappropriate in written or print form.
- Slangs are used among peers and used more by youngsters than old people.
- Dialect is a way of speaking a language in a particular region or by a particular community in a country.
- Italian is the standard language in Italy, while Sicilian and Tuscan are two of its dialects.
- Slang terms do not have a long shelf life and they keep on changing with a change of generation.
