Vernacular Language

Abstract

Vernacular language is defined as the language of a particular group, profession, region or country especially spoken rather than written. Vernacular language is also considered a romance language (Matthews, 2011). Vernacular language had significant impact on culture after the 12th century and the adaption of the Vernacular language.

The impact of Vernacular language on 12th Century culture

Before the 12th century Latin was the language that was used by writers between 500-100 Vernacular language was being spoken in religious festivals, improvisational troupes of actors and storytellers. None of the literature was written down but around 1200 the language had formed enough to produce real literature of common people (Matthews, 2011).

There were different factors that contributed to the rise of vernacular language.

One of the main reasons that Vernacular language spread so rapidly was due to the fact many people did not speak Latin. Also the Vernacular language made it easier to convert people to Christians, therefore the desire to spread Christianity, women wanting to participate in cultural debates and technological advances are the main factors that this language surpassed Latin and was adopted into everyday life (Schwarz, 2011).

The French started to use the vernacular language in their literature by the 14th century, greatly contributing to the transition from Latin to vernacular language. Vernacular language played contributed immensely to stabilizing cultures with their leaders. Vernacular language depicted very well life, art through literature in a way that was culturally unifying. The language allowed people to express themselves freely through romantic poems, debates, paintings. These ways of expression helped when feelings cannot be expressed in spoken language. This brought people closer together and aided in the development of nationalism. By the fifteenth century was established as the main language of literature, historical record, and personal expression even though it was subjected to standardization.

Women and the Vernacular Language

Women played a very important role of the rise of the Vernacular Language. Noble women commissioned their works to be written and translated into vernacular language helping to preserve history. When women wanted to participate in cultural debates they had to do so in vernacular language. Women were very empowered by the adoption of the language in their literary writings and cultural debates (McCash, 2008). .

Technology

Technological advancement opened a gateway for a more abundance of work to be done at a faster pace. The printing press produced mass amounts of literature in the vernacular language. This motivated people to become more educated which had a huge impact on the educational system (McCash, 2008). The technological advances created a gateway for people who could not speak the language to learn to read and write it (Slavitt, 1999).

Christianity

Adopting Christianity was a very important factor in adopting the vernacular language. Most people were well versed in studies of bible science and vernacular language and once the