Let’s start with the most difficult to differentiate. A simple way to see the difference between dialect and language is that a language typically has a written and a spoken form or system while a dialect is only spoken.

But, this is oversimplifying the difference.

The term language is typically used to refer to the standard for a specific language. This means that it is the proper form of the language that follows the rules and sounds of that language. A dialect is more of the vernacular without a written system. Vernacular is defined as the way in which ordinary people speak a language. People typically do not follow all of the rules of a language when speaking.  Some vocabulary words may also differ between dialects of a language.

For example, many countries have assigned English as their language of choice. If a British English speaker went to America, the two individuals from each country could communicate with relative ease because they both speak English. However, because the British English dialect differs from the American English dialect, there may be specific terms or phrases that are unknown to the American English speaking person.

When you are referring to what a person speaks, it is common to do so the way shown in the previous paragraph. By saying American English, American refers to the person’s dialect while English is referring to the language they speak. Other examples include Mandarin Chinese or Puerto Rican Spanish.

For something fun, here is a list some common vocabulary differences between American, British and Australian dialects. 

Typically, a dialect will not get elevated to the title of language except if a new nation is created and they name the dialect as their language of choice.