territorial variation
[/ˌterɪˈtɔːriəl ˌveriˈeɪʃən/]
nounpl: territorial variations
variação territorial
1. Differences in language, culture, customs, or characteristics that exist between different geographic regions or territories
The territorial variation in accent across different states makes American English quite diverse.
A variação territorial do sotaque entre diferentes estados torna o português brasileiro muito diverso.
2. In linguistics, the systematic differences in speech patterns, vocabulary, or pronunciation within a specific geographic area
Territorial variation in vocabulary shows how the word for 'bus' differs between Rio and São Paulo.
A variação territorial no vocabulário mostra como a palavra para 'ônibus' difere entre Rio e São Paulo.
3. In biology and ecology, the differences in species distribution, behavior, or characteristics across different geographic territories
The territorial variation of the jaguar population reflects adaptation to different ecosystems.
A variação territorial da população de onça-pintada reflete a adaptação a diferentes ecossistemas.
This term is particularly relevant in Brazil due to the country's vast size and diverse regional cultures. Brazilian Portuguese exhibits significant territorial variations across regions like the Northeast, South, and Southeast, each with distinct phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features. In the USA, territorial variation is important in American English studies, with notable differences between regions like the South, Midwest, and Northeast.
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