Dialectometry

Dialectometry is a scientific method used to analyze and measure differences and similarities between regional language varieties, known as dialects. By collecting linguistic data—such as vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar—researchers use statistical techniques to quantify how dialects vary across regions. This helps linguists understand patterns of language change, regional influences, and historical connections. Essentially, dialectometry transforms qualitative language features into numerical data, enabling a systematic comparison of dialects to study linguistic diversity and evolution within a language community.