dialect boundaries

Dialect boundaries are the geographical lines where regional language differences, such as pronunciation, vocabulary, or grammar, become noticeable. They are not sharp borders but gradual shifts where local speech patterns change over distance. These boundaries often develop naturally due to historical, cultural, or social factors that limit communication between areas. As you cross a dialect boundary, you might notice subtle differences in how people speak, but it doesn't mean speaking in a different language—just regional variations of the same language.