Dialect
Dialect: The language used by the people of a specific area, class, district or any other group of people.
Dialect involves
- spelling
- sounds
- grammar
- pronunciation
In literature, certain words and phrases are used for characterization, giving us a better image of different characters.
Just by reading the way someone speaks, we can automatically make inferences about the background of a character, such as where they're from as well as their mannerisms. It can be used to illustrate a certain character or identify a certain work as something from a specific culture.
Examples
- Dialect used to show lack of education -
- Walter: Reckon I have. Almost died first year I come to school and et them pecans — folks say he pizened ‘em and put ‘em over on the school side of the fence. (To Kill a Mockingbird)
- Lula: I wants to know why you bringing’ white chillun to nigger church. (To Kill a Mockingbird)
- Dialect used to distinguish between characters speaking -
- Jim: “We’s safe, Huck, we’s safe! Jump up and crack yo’ heels. Dat’s de good ole Cairo at las’, I jis knows it.”
- (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
- Dialect used to show accents
- Ye loit’ring minutes faster flee,
Y’ are all ower slow by hauf for me,
That wait impatient for the mornin’; (Yorkshire dialect, Thomas Browne) - “I am just serving a customer. – Indeed, hinny, it will no be a boodle cheaper than I tell ye”. (Scottish dialect, Sir Walter Scott)
Disney Dialects