Ara
A language is a dialect with an army and (a) navy
a language is a dialect with an army and (a) navy
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dilin gücü silahtan üstündür
used to imply that the distinction between a language and a dialect is often determined by political power and influence rather than inherent linguistic differences
ProverbWhat is the origin of the proverb "a language is a dialect with an army and navy" and when to use it?
The origin of the proverb "a language is a dialect with an army and navy" is often attributed to the sociolinguist Max Weinreich. The saying highlights the idea that what is considered a "language" is often determined by the political and social dominance of the group speaking it, while "dialects" are viewed as less powerful or less standardized. It draws attention to the role of politics and history in shaping how languages are categorized, rather than purely linguistic factors.
Example
While all forms of speech are valuable and deserve respect, some varieties are associated with more power and prestige - a language is a dialect with an army and navy, so be aware of the political factors that influence our perceptions of language.
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