Second dialect acquisition

Abstract

Second dialect acquisition (SDA) refers to the learning of another dialect of a language as opposed to learning a separate language. Dialects are defined here as varieties that speakers perceive as belonging to the same language. One dialect differs from another in vocabulary, pronunciation and/or morphosyntax, and in its association with a particular geographic region or social group. SDA is concerned mainly with three broad types of dialects: (1) national dialects such as Canadian and Australian English and Mexican and European Spanish; (2) regional dialects such as Yorkshire and Liverpool English in England, and Swabian and Bavarian in Germany; and (3) ethnic dialects such as Aboriginal English in Australia and African American English and Chicano Spanish in the USA.