Dialects cannot technically be distinguished from languages.​

Dialects and languages can be distinguished based on linguistic criteria, such as mutual intelligibility, grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The distinction between them is mainly sociopolitical rather than linguistic, as languages are often associated with official status and national identity, while dialects are seen as regional or social varieties of a language. However, this distinction is not always clear-cut, and some linguists argue that dialects should be considered separate languages based on their historical and structural differences.