Are some accents/dialects incorrect?

Question

I may not be incorrect in my knowledge about speech, but Dialects or accents that drop sounds from words, syllables from words, or just completely change the sound from words are they correct? I see pronunciation in the dictionary so by default I assume that is a correct way to pronounce words. Though this may be faulty reasoning. I've heard many people say that there are millions of way to pronounce something yet whenever I open a dictionary I see the break down on the "standard" way to pronounce words So I'm wondering if a dialect veers from the standard then are those speaking it speaking correct English? If an accent veers from a dialect's standard then are those speaking it speaking correct English? This may just be a lack of understanding on my part but I endeavor to learn more.

Answer 1

Always use the dictionary pronunciation as your standard.

Errors and dialects are not the same thing. With a dialect there is a set of rules that govern how someone speaks. These rules do differ from standard English but it does not make them "wrong". Most people who speak English will speak a dialect but use standard English in formal settings. For example, in the English language we have both American and British accents. Neither version is "correct." English as a second language learners should always strive to use standard English. By using standard English you can learn and understand the rules of the language better and become fluent without unnecessary confusion.

Please note: In English some words are both nouns and verbs so there are many words that have two different pronunciations.