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What do you call someone who can speak in different dialect?

There isn't a single, universally accepted term for someone who can speak in different dialects. Here's why and some possible options:

Why there's no single term:

* Dialect is about variation, not expertise: Unlike fluency in different languages, speaking in dialects doesn't imply mastery or professional skill. It's more about adapting to different social contexts and communities.

* The term "dialect" is often subjective: What constitutes a dialect can be debated, and there are often regional or cultural factors involved.

Possible terms:

* Multilingual: This is accurate if the dialects are sufficiently distinct to be considered separate languages.

* Bilingual/Trilingual: Use this if someone speaks two or three dialects considered separate languages.

* Multidialectal: This is a term specifically referring to speaking multiple dialects.

* Dialectal: This can be used as an adjective to describe someone who speaks multiple dialects.

* Polyglot: This term usually refers to someone who speaks many languages, but it can be used more broadly to mean someone who speaks multiple dialects or languages.

* Code-switcher: This term refers to someone who seamlessly shifts between different languages or dialects depending on the context.

* Linguistically versatile: This describes someone who is capable of using different linguistic variations effectively.

Ultimately, the best term depends on the specific context and how you want to emphasize the speaker's abilities.

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