In sociolinguistics a variety, also called a lect,'s a form of a language used by speakers of that language. This may include dialects, accents, registers, styles or other sociolinguistic variation. "Variety" avoids the terms language, which many people associate with the standard language, and dialect, which's associated with non-standard varieties thought of as less prestigious or "correct" than the standard. Linguists speak of both standard and non-standard varieties. Etymology The term "lec… (More on Lect)