Which of the following statements is true of a dialect of a language ?

The correct statements regarding a dialect of a language are:

1. Sometimes different social groups may speak different dialects of the same language. (Sociolects)
2. Dialects of a language vary from region to region. (Regional dialects)
3. Speakers of different dialects of one language can understand the other dialect speaker. (Mutual intelligibility)

Explanation and Key Concepts:

A dialect is a particular form of a language that is specific to a region or a social group.

• Regional and Social Variation: Dialects differ depending on geographical location (regional dialect) as well as social factors such as class, ethnicity, or age (social dialect or sociolect).

• Mutual Intelligibility: A defining characteristic that distinguishes dialects of the same language from separate languages is mutual intelligibility. Speakers of different dialects of the same language can generally understand each other, even if there are differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

• Language vs. Dialects Hierarchy: A language is a broader, overarching category that encompasses multiple regional and social dialects. Therefore, statement 4 ("A dialect is a bigger category and language is a smaller category") is incorrect, as language is the larger category while dialect is a sub-category under it.