speech vernacular meaning

Vernacular – Definition and Examples

Marcus Froland

August 1, 2024

Imagine sitting with friends, enjoying a casual conversation, and suddenly someone uses a word you’ve never heard before. This word feels familiar yet strange, like a piece of a puzzle that doesn’t quite fit. That word might be part of their vernacular , a term that reflects their unique way of speaking.

Our everyday language is full of these special words and phrases. They hold stories of our backgrounds, cultures, and communities. Understanding vernacular isn’t just about learning new words; it’s about connecting with the essence of how people express themselves. Let’s explore what vernacular means and see some examples that might surprise you.

The meaning of vernacular refers to the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a specific area. It’s the everyday speech that is not formal or literary. Often, vernacular is used to express cultural identity and local customs through language. This term can also apply to other forms of expression like architecture, which reflects local styles and practices rather than international trends. Understanding vernacular helps in appreciating and respecting cultural differences.

What is Vernacular?

Vernacular language is the natural way we talk every day. It shows the unique ways people communicate in different areas. This includes many language styles and cultural dialects . They can be very different based on where you are.

Meaning and Definition

Vernacular language is the informal speech used by regular folks in certain places. Examples include different types of English spoken in the USA, UK, and Australia. African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a special dialect. It has unique expressions that come from history and social influences.

Usage in Everyday Life

People mainly use vernacular when chatting casually with friends and family. It’s also used during day-to-day activities. This speech style is simpler and clearer for those who know it well.

For example, in the Midwest, “pop” means soda. On the West Coast, saying “down” means you agree. These regional words reflect local customs and life.

The Evolution of Vernacular Language

The history of vernacular language is rich and full of changes. It started in Europe during the twelfth century. Ordinary people used it every day. This time marked when vernacular languages became more common, moving away from Latin. They became key in many regions.

Historical Context

In the thirteenth century, increased xenophobia changed vernacular language again. This led to a stronger sense of identity in local speech. The vernacular let common people be heard. Important figures used it to show their community’s spirit, affecting our history through language.

Impact on Modern Language

Vernacular language greatly influenced today’s language studies. Its use in writing changed how languages are taught and understood. This opening up of language to more people has deeply affected its progress. Figures like Lu Xun pushed for writing that reflects real speech, leading to big changes in how we use language now.

Today’s linguistics still feel the impact of these past shifts. The journey of language, rooted in the vernacular, highlights the need for genuine and relatable communication. Understanding this history helps us see how language shapes our culture and moves society forward. The story of verniverseular language is about growing and adapting, from the past till now.

Vernacular in American English

American English is like a colorful quilt of U.S. linguistic diversity . It’s made up of regional dialects. Each one adds its own phrases to the language. This makes for a rich and varied way of speaking across the country.

Regional Variations

In every corner of the U.S., from New York City to the quiet Midwest, regional dialects add flavor. Places like New England, the South, and the Pacific Northwest have their own unique ways of speaking. For instance, “grinder” is what some Northeast people call a sandwich. Meanwhile, “y’all” is a friendly greeting in the South. These examples show the amazing language diversity in America.

Common Phrases and Terms

In the U.S., everyday talk includes many American colloquialisms . These expressions bring people together. In the South, “fixin’ to” means getting ready to do something. Californians say “soda,” but in the Midwest, it’s “pop” for the same fizzy drink. New Englanders use “wicked” for something very good. These phrases show language habits from different regions.

Getting to know these local ways of speaking makes American culture richer for you. It helps you connect better with different communities.

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter – ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Knowing American regional dialects can greatly improve how we communicate and connect.

Vernacular in Literature

Using literary vernacular in stories is a powerful tool. It shapes how characters talk and feel, making them seem real. This way, historical and modern books become more engaging for readers.

Examples from Classic Literature

Classic books often use everyday language to show real character voices. For example, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is famous for this. It lets readers see and hear the characters as if they were real people from that time. This makes the story more believable and sparks discussions about how people are portrayed in books.

Modern Literary Uses

In today’s books, vernacular is still key for making stories feel real. Authors now write as if they’re telling the story right now, imitating real conversations. This technique brings readers closer to the characters, blending traditional and modern ways of storytelling.

Vernacular vs. Formal Language

Communication is filled with different styles, especially when we talk about vernacular and formal language. These communication styles have their own uses and places. Vernacular speech is more casual and personal, perfect for chatting with friends and family. It shows the clear difference between informal versus formal speech .

Formal writing , on the other hand, is used in professional or educational settings. It follows grammatical rules closely and sounds more refined. This style is needed for official documents, presentations, or articles. Business reports and academic papers, for example, must be formal to appear authoritative and clear.

Knowing when to use each communication style is key. Picture being in a job interview—speaking informally might seem unprofessional. Formal speech, however, can leave a good impression. But, using formal talk at a casual event might make you seem unfriendly or aloof.

Choosing between vernacular and formal language depends on the situation and who you’re talking to. By being skilled in both styles, you can easily fit into different social and professional settings. This ensures your messages are always suitable and welcomed.

Examples of Vernacular in Different Cultures

Vernacular language captures the heart of different cultures. Various sayings and words can quickly show you’re in a unique place. They showcase the diversity in English-speaking communities around the world.

American Vernacular

In the United States, the local way of speaking varies a lot. For example, “grinder” means a sandwich in New England. Meanwhile, in the South, “y’all” is a friendly way to talk to a group of people. Cultural phrases like these create a local identity and sense of community.

In the Midwest, you might hear “howdy”. It shows the region’s welcoming nature.

British Vernacular

In Britain, locals have their own special phrases like “quid” for money. “Bob’s your uncle” means everything is fine. These sayings add a British charm to conversations. Expressions like “knackered” for tired or “chuffed” for happy show the richness of British speech.

Australian Vernacular

Australia has its own casual language that makes English there unique. “Avo” for avocado and “dunny” for toilet are good examples. Australian sayings reflect the laid-back and vivid nature of their English. This gives Australian speech its fascinating and enjoyable identity.

The Role of Vernacular in Identity and Culture

Vernacular language shapes cultural identity. It carries traditions, beliefs, and shared experiences. It makes us feel we belong.

By using your local language, you’re part of your community’s cultural heritage . It ties to how we see ourselves and connect with others. Sociocultural linguistics show the deep link between language and identity.

Language and Cultural Identity

The words we use daily do more than just communicate. They mark our cultural identity. They create a connection within communities.

From the “y’all” in the South to New York’s unique slang, these phrases define us. Understanding these expressions helps grasp identity in societal terms. It’s key to understanding how language shapes us.

Preservation of Vernacular

Keeping vernacular language alive saves our cultural heritage . Efforts to document and revive dialects protect our unique linguistic traits. It keeps our language dynamic.

Linguists and historians lead these initiatives. By supporting them, you help preserve our cultural legacy. This ensures future generations inherit a rich linguistic culture.

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Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

Vernacular is the language of a particular group, profession, region, or country, especially as spoken rather than formally written.

Since the rise of sociolinguistics in the 1960s, interest in vernacular forms of English speech has developed rapidly. As R.L. Trask has pointed out, vernacular forms "are now seen as every bit as worthy of study as standard varieties" ( Language and Linguistics: Key Concepts , 2007).

Examples and Observations

"Around the middle of the fourteenth century English began to be accepted as an appropriate language for government, law, and literature. In response to this wider use of the vernacular , a debate over its suitability as a means of communicating scripture and theology began in the 1300s." (Judy Ann Ford, John Mirk's Festial . DS Brewer, 2006)
"The Elizabethans had discovered once and for all the artistic power of the vernacular and had freed native writers from a crippling sense of inferiority, for which the classical languages and the classicists were largely responsible." (Richard Foster Jones, The Triumph of the English Language . Stanford University Press, 1953)
"The BCP [Book of Common Prayer] allowed for celebrations in Latin ..., but required that worship should normally be conducted 'in a language understanded of the people.' Vernacular liturgy was a reform for which Roman Catholics had to wait another 400 years." (Alan Wilson, "The Book of Common Prayer, Part 1: An English Ragbag." The Guardian , Aug. 23, 2010

Writers on Writing: Using The Vernacular

" Mark Twain ... transformed elements of regional vernacular speech into a medium of uniquely American literary expression and thus taught us how to capture that which is essentially American in our folkways and manners. For indeed the vernacular process is a way of establishing and discovering our national identity." (Ralph Ellison, Going to the Territory . Random House, 1986)
"American writers were ... the first to intuit that the catchall web of the vernacular reflected the mind at its conscious level. The new melodious tongue shaped the writer to a greater extent than he shaped the language." (Wright Morris, About Fiction . Harper, 1975)
"[W]hen I interrupt the velvety smoothness of my more or less literate syntax with a few sudden words of bar-room vernacular , that is done with the eyes wide open and the mind relaxed but attentive." (Raymond Chandler, letter to Edward Weeks, January 18, 1948)
"I've always wanted to bring the books down closer and closer to the characters—to get myself, the narrator , out of it as much as I can. And one of the ways to do this is to use the language that the characters actually speak, to use the vernacular , and not ignoring the grammar , the formality of it, to bend it, to twist it, so you get a sense that you are hearing it, not reading it."(Roddy Doyle, quoted by Caramine White in Reading Roddy Doyle . Syracuse University Press, 2001

Two Worlds of Writing

"There's a newish world of writing where lots of people are busy all hours of the day and night emailing, tweeting, and blogging on the internet. Students startle their professors by sending chatty emails using the slang they write to buddies on Facebook. Much writing in this new world is a kind of 'speaking onto the screen'; indeed, plenty of people, especially 'literate people,' don't consider this writing to be writing. ' Email? That's not writing!' Actually, people have been writing in everyday vernacular spoken language for centuries in diaries , informal personal letters , grocery lists, and exploratory musings to figure out their feelings or thoughts. ...
"So in one world of writing, people feel free to speak onto the screen or page; in the other, people feel pressured to avoid speech on the page. I won't join the chorus of literate commentators who lament all the bad writing in the world of email and web. I see problems with writing in both worlds. I'd say that most writing is not very good, whether it's literate writing or 'e-writing,' and whether it comes from students, amateurs, well-educated people, or learned scholars." (Peter Elbow, Vernacular Eloquence: What Speech Can Bring to Writing . Oxford Univ. Press, 2012)

The New Vernacular

"Like its antecedents, the new vernacular represents a democratic impulse, an antidote to vanity and literary airs. It's friendly, it's familiar. But familiar in both senses. The new vernacular imitates spontaneity but sounds rehearsed. It has a franchised feel, like the chain restaurant that tells its patrons, 'You're family.' "In part this is just a matter of cliché . Some writers try to casualize their prose with friendly phrases such as 'you know' or 'you know what?' Or even 'um,' as in 'um, hel-lo?' ... "The new vernacular writer is studiedly sincere. Sincere even when ironic, ironically sincere. Whatever its other goals, the first purpose of such prose is ingratiation. Of course, every writer wants to be liked, but this is prose that seeks an instant intimate relationship. It makes aggressive use of the word 'you'—'bet you thought'—and even when the 'you' is absent, it is implied. The writer works hard to be lovable." (Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd, Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction . Random House, 2013)

Vernacular Rhetoric

" [N]arratives of vernacular rhetoric can afford a certain accuracy in gauging public opinion that otherwise is unavailable. Were leaders to hear these opinions and take them seriously, the quality of public discourse might take a positive turn. Understanding people's concerns and why they hold them holds promise for helping leaders to communicate with society's active members rather than manipulating them."(Gerard A. Hauser, Vernacular Voices: The Rhetoric of Publics and Public Spheres . Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1999)

The Lighter Side of the Vernacular

"[Edward Kean] once said that he was probably best known for coining the word 'cowabunga' (originally spelled with a 'k') as a greeting for Chief Thunderthud, a character on [ The Howdy Doody Show ]. The word has become part of American vernacular , used by the cartoon character Bart Simpson and by the crime-fighting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." (Dennis Hevesi, "Edward Kean, Chief Writer of ‘Howdy Doody,’ Dies at 85." The New York Times , Aug. 24, 2010)

Pronunciation: ver-NAK-ye-ler

Etymology From the Latin, "native"

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