Language and dialect

The first difference between language and dialect is that of size. A language is a larger than a dialect. Language contains more items than one calls dialect. The other  contrast between language and dialect is a question of prestige. A language may have a prestige which the dialect lacks. The variety which gains more prestige is called a standard language. In order to become a standard a language must go through certain stages. It is supposed to have passed through the following stages:

1. Selection

A particular variety must have been selected as the one to be developed into a standard language. The choice is a matter of great social and political importance.

2. Codification

Certain institutions must have written vocabulary or grammar books in order to fix the variety.

3. Elaboration

The fixed variety must have been used in different spheres of life, e.g. government, education, documents. 

4. Acceptance

The variety has to be accepted by the population as the variety of the community.