How do you recognize language and dialect?

Answer 1

It's been said a language is a dialect without an army and a navy.

In general if two different systems of speaking have 80% mutual intelligibility, they are dialects of the same language. If they have a lower rate of mutual intelligibility, they are different languages.

However, take Chinese--Mandarin and Cantonese aren't anything alike, but politically declared as the same language. French and Italian are very similar, but different languages.

Basically, it's arbitrary.

Answer 2

Languages are distinct communication systems with unique grammar and vocabulary, while dialects are variations within a language. Language recognition involves identifying specific linguistic features like phonology, grammar, and vocabulary, whereas dialect recognition involves noticing regional or social variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax. Linguists utilize tools like phonetic analysis and morphological patterns to differentiate between languages and dialects.