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"A dialect is a language that gets no respect". Discuss this sentence in terms of what a dialect is and why dialects (e.g. Mancunian dialect) are perhaps still “looked down” on in society.


A dialect can be described as a particular variety or subdivision of a language in a geographical area (regional dialect) or in a particular social group (sociolect). A dialect differs from the standard form of the language with regard to vocabulary and/ or grammar.

I do not believe that ‘a dialect is a language that gets no respect’, as it is just a way for communities, societies and regions to be individually identified within their country. However, I do think that it is important for people to be able to communicate in a well mannered way, in that we can understand what each other are saying. This would be through everyone speaking Standard English, however, people sneer at Standard English pronunciation as “elitist”. But the fact is that the development of such a clear and strictly regulated method of speech has been an enormous aid to the primary purpose of language: communication. A Cornishman can barely understand a Glaswegian at all but both find Standard English comprehensible. Still, I do not think that ‘a dialect is a language that gets no respect’, communication today is extremely important and Standard English is the obvious choice for achieving good communication. Also, non-native speakers are taught Standard English, therefore communication can go further into the world.

Standard English is the speech of educated south-easterners (not cockney) and gains its status through our capital London, where headquarters of British royalty is located, government, trade and a major media scene which of course has always influenced Standard English. It was after 1500 that ‘London English’ was selected as the standard for all to emulate in written form. Prior to this, there had been many written forms of English,...