What dialect did Chaucer use for his tales?

Chaucer didn't use a single, unified dialect for his *Canterbury Tales*. Instead, he used a Middle English dialect that was influenced by various regional dialects, primarily the London dialect and East Midland dialect.

Here's a breakdown:

* London Dialect: This was the most prominent influence in Chaucer's writing. It was the language of the court and was becoming increasingly influential throughout the country.

* East Midland Dialect: This dialect contributed to the vocabulary and grammar of Chaucer's language.

* Other Dialects: Chaucer also borrowed words and phrases from other regional dialects, reflecting the diversity of language in his time.

It's important to remember that Middle English was a highly varied language, and what Chaucer wrote would have been understood by a broad audience, but not by everyone. Modern readers may find his language quite different from modern English.