Dialectology and Dialect Intelligibility

Abstract

This paper defines and talks about dialectology in the context of traditional dialectology. Here, we see how the early researchers were able to collect data and the various methods they used. We also see how traditional dialectology faced a lot of criticism. As time passed, researchers were able to use new methods which involved the use of technology. This is discussed in the sociolinguistics dialectology section. The relationship between dialectology and linguistics, together with its relationship outside linguistics, has been tackled as well. The paper also talks about dialect intelligibility in relation to dialect and language, how we can use dialect intelligibility to define dialect and language using various examples from different parts of the world, including Africa and the exceptions brought about by using dialect intelligibility to define language and literature. Last but not least, the paper also discusses different factors which affect dialect intelligibility.