American English Dialects [MAP]

Not all people who speak a language speak it the same way. A language can be subdivided into any number of dialects which each vary in some way from the parent language. The term, accent, is often incorrectly used in its place, but an accent refers only to the way words are pronounced, while a dialect has its own grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and common expressions as well as pronunciation rules that make it unique from other dialects of the same language. Another term, idiolect, refers to the manner of speaking of an individual person. No two people’s idiolects are exactly the same, but people who are part of the same group will have enough verbal elements in common to be said to be using the same dialect. Read the rest at Robert Delaney’s page. ALSO SEE: U.S. Has 24 Distinct Dialects — So, Where Are You From?

 

Map - American English Dialects