How do dialects, accents, and standard pronunciations differ from one another?

While the terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, linguists distinguish between dialects, accents, and standard pronunciations based on their structural and social roles.12

Dialects

A dialect is a variety of a language that reflects a speaker’s regional, social, or occupational background. It encompasses a total linguistic complex, including grammar (morphology and syntax), vocabulary, and pronunciation. Because a language is essentially the sum of its dialects, even a "standard" language is technically a dialect that has gained special prestige.21

Accents

An accent refers specifically to the phonological features of speech—such as vowels, consonants, and intonation—rather than differences in grammar or vocabulary. When regional variations of a standard language differ primarily in sound, they are often referred to as accents.21

Standard Pronunciation

Standard pronunciation represents a version of a language that holds greater prestige and serves as a norm for correctness. These standards are often tied to specific social classes or educated groups, such as Received Pronunciation in Great Britain. While these ideals provide a goal for "educated speech," they are frequently modified in practice by regional usage.12