What are the differences between dialect and register? 

Answer

 What are the differences between dialect and register? 

Sociolinguistics discusses dialect and register. A dialect is a form of language from a specific region or group. Dialects have their own words, grammar, and accent. Register means the style of language used. It changes with the situation or social context. Let us see the main differences between them.

Difference Between Dialect and Register: The following are the differences between dialect and register:

Meaning: A dialect is a form of a language. It is based on a region or a social group. People in different places speak different dialects. On the other hand, a register is a style or level of language. It depends on the situation, purpose, or audience. People choose to register when they talk in formal or informal ways.

Changes With: Dialect changes with the place or people. If someone moves to a new area, their dialect may change. On the other hand, register changes with the formality or topic. 

Examples: British and American English are different dialects. They use different words and accents. On the other hand, registers can be formal, informal, or medical. For example, the medical register (like OT & ICU) is used in hospitals.

Fixed or Flexible: The dialect is more fixed by the community. It does not change easily. People from one region share the same dialect for a long time. On the other hand, the register is more flexible and can change often. The register can change many times on the same day. 

Visual Discussion: Let us look at the following table.