Spoken language, accent and dialect

We do not talk the way we write. Speech has its own natural features, and English is spoken in many different accents and dialects. Understanding this makes you a sharper reader, writer and listener.

Practise this lesson free (7 questions)

How speech differs from writing

Feature of speechExample
Fillersum, er, like, you know
Pausesshown as (.) in a transcript
False starts and repetitionthe (.) the gates
Interruptions and overlapstwo people speaking at once
Informal and non-standard grammarhe goes 'you'll have to wait' (meaning 'he said')
Help from tone, face and gesturemeaning not shown in words alone

A transcript

A transcript writes down exactly what was said, including fillers and pauses. It has no normal punctuation because speech is not written in sentences.
Sam: so um (.) we got there at like nine and the (.) the gates weren't even open
Priya: no way
Sam: yeah and then er the bus driver goes (.) he goes you'll have to wait
Priya: typical
Practice transcript, written for GCSE-ready. (.) shows a short pause.

Accent and dialect

Accent is about pronunciation: how words sound. Everyone has an accent.
Dialect is about words and grammar: for example 'bairn' for 'child' in Scotland and north-east England, or 'we was' instead of 'we were'.
Standard English is a dialect used in most formal writing and many formal situations. It can be spoken in any accent. No accent or dialect is 'lazy' or 'wrong'; each is right for some situations.
Worked example

Rewrite Sam's first line from the transcript as written Standard English.

  1. Remove fillers: 'um', 'like'.
  2. Remove the repeated 'the' and the pauses.
  3. Write it as a full, punctuated sentence.

Answer: We got there at about nine o'clock, and the gates were not even open.

Key idea

Speech has fillers, pauses, false starts, overlaps and informal grammar; writing is usually planned and edited. Accent is pronunciation; dialect is vocabulary and grammar. Standard English can be spoken in any accent.

Key words
Dialect
A variety of English with its own words and grammar, often linked to a region.
Standard English
The form of English that follows agreed rules of grammar and vocabulary, used in most writing and formal speech. It can be spoken in any accent.

All KS3 English key terms and definitions →

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Why do speakers use fillers like 'um'?

    1. To show they are lying
    2. Because they are written words
    3. To fill pauses while thinking
    4. To end a sentence
    Show the answer

    Answer: To fill pauses while thinking

    Fillers give thinking time.

  2. What is a false start in speech?

    1. Beginning a sentence, then stopping and restarting
    2. The first line of a speech
    3. A pause before speaking
    4. A shout
    Show the answer

    Answer: Beginning a sentence, then stopping and restarting

    Speakers restart as they plan.

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Practise this lesson free (7 questions)All KS3 English lessons

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Sources and references

Checked by the GCSE-ready editorial team, 17 October 2026. Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.