The term "variety of language" refers to different manifestations of language worldwide, similar to

the way "music" encompasses various genres. A variety of language is defined as a set of linguistic
items with similar social distribution. This definition encompasses languages, dialects, and
registers.
The distinction between "language" and "dialect" is ambiguous and varies based on size and
prestige. Generally, a language is considered larger and holds more prestige than a dialect.
However, the size criterion is relative, and the prestige criterion depends on social perceptions and
formal usage. Standard languages are considered proper languages and result from deliberate
standardization efforts.
The criterion of mutual intelligibility, often used to distinguish languages, poses problems. Popular
usage and the relationship between prestige and standardization influence the categorization of
languages and dialects. Mutual intelligibility is a matter of degree, varies based on motivation and
experience, and is not always reciprocal.
The passage concludes that the distinction between "language" and "dialect" is largely subjective,
except when considering prestige. Language boundaries are often clear to both sociolinguists and
ordinary people, and where boundaries are unclear, they remain so for everyone. The passage also
touches on the concepts of national language, associated with national identity, and official
language, used for political and administrative purposes, with examples from different countries.
In summary, the passage explores the complexities of defining language varieties, the ambiguous
distinctions between language and dialect, and the challenges in using mutual intelligibility as a
criterion. It emphasizes the subjective nature of these distinctions and highlights the symbolic and
political aspects of national and official languages.