What is a dialect poem?

Dialect in a poem is a literary tool that refers to the use of language that distinguishes the voice of someone from a unique culture, financial status or social class from others. Dialect can include specific grammar, spelling, pronunciations, vocabulary and slang terms.

Dialect helps the reader characterize the people depicted in literature. It gives the reader insight regarding the geographic location, culture and social class of the author or the characters in the reading. Examples of dialect from the American South include, "Yins' fixin' to take you sis' to the schoolhouse or what?" and, "Ya'll put the groceries in the boot."