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Affirming Differences, Valuing Variation and Dismissing Dialects in Modern Linguistics

Abstract Dialectology and sociolinguistics have given rise to the notions of dialect difference and sociolinguistic variation. An evaluation of these concepts in terms of usefulness to scholars, social relevance to laymen, and solid intellectual coherence and soundness yields high marks on the first two criteria, while pointing to problems with regard to coherence. The scientific and social contributions made possible by the concept of dialectal difference are clear, but serious questions must be raised as to the coherence of the notion of dialect. The concept of variation, while also facilitating important contributions, raises questions of its own on the criterion of coherence. Dialects can be safely dismissed from our conceptual repertoire, while dialectal difference and sociolinguistic variation should remain, demanding, however, that considerable effort be expended in finding a better fit with more traditional areas of research in linguistics. These areas are not exempt from the task, as their coherence too requires greater engagement with variation.