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Economic effects of differences in dialect

Author

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  • Jens Suedekum

    (University of Düsseldorf and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

Countries are not perfectly integrated market areas. Even if institutional differences are much smaller within than between countries, there are persistent local cultural differences. These differences act as barriers that reduce economic exchange: bilateral migration, trade, and knowledge diffusion flows are smaller, and individuals discriminate against unfamiliar dialects. They also act as natural limits to the degree of integration of a labor market, and they cannot (and perhaps should not) be easily affected by policy. Local dialects, shaped over centuries, provide a unique opportunity to measure these barriers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Suedekum, 2018. "Economic effects of differences in dialect," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 414-414, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:2018:n:414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Shu & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2024. "Social identity and labor market outcomes of internal migrant workers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    2. Cai, Shu & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2020. "Social Assimilation and Labor Market Outcomes of Migrants in China," Discussion Papers 308017, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).
    3. Nico Voigtländer & Hans-Joachim Voth, 2022. "Response to Guinnane and Hoffman: Medieval Anti-Semitism, Weimar Social Capital, and the Rise of the Nazi Party: A Reconsideration," CESifo Working Paper Series 10180, CESifo.
    4. Cai, Shu & Zimmermann, Klaus F., 2024. "Social Identity and Labor Market Outcomes of Internal Migrant Workers," GLO Discussion Paper Series 716 [pre.], Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    dialects; cultural differences; regional migration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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