This article is full of effective information about linguistic terms language, dialect and sub-dialect or variety. In linguistics especially in Punjabi linguistics, one of the most difficult issues is how to draw a clear line between a language, a dialect and sub-dialect. Firstly the writer has tried to differentiate these terms with definitions and examples. Then the writer has explained the concept of standard language in view of linguistics. After that the writer has discussed the historical relationship between a language and a dialect. An effort has been made to show the complexity of these linguistic issues and tried to solve it accordingly through the article. 

* Ph.D. Scholar, Institute of Punjabi & Cultural Studies, P.U, Lahore.

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