Language variation?

What is language variation?

We think our way of speaking is neutral, but actually, it's far from that. Based on our speech, people can tell where we come from. Our phonology (the sounds we use, our accent), our choice of words (truck/lorry) and our use of grammar (I don't have an extra set/ I haven't got an extra set) give away our background.

Linguists use the word 'dialect' to refer to a language variety shared by a group of people.

• When we define such a group in geographical terms, we speak of regional dialects.
• When we define such a group on a social level, we speak of sociolects.
• When the variety used depends on the context, we speak of a functional variety.

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