UNIT 2 INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
HUMA215

by

Kendra M Hutchins
AIU Online

Abstract
Before our modern day , Latin was spoken among the most educated. Written literature was in Latin. The origins of language is an important aspect of our culture. We write and speak to get points across. The President of the United States makes his arguments to the Senate and other countries by using English. If we were in the period of time, everything important would be in Latin. The journey of language was not an overnight change. Other languages also help shape our language as we know it now.

I often wonder where languages come from. Not such different dialactes that come with different areas of the United States. But during the origins of language with its spread from culture to culture came changes. Now that there is a different means to communicate, people may not agree with one another. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the term vernacular can be defined as using a language that is native to a country or province rather than a cultured, foreign, or literary language (Merriam-Webster, 2011). These languages would one day be known as Portuguese, French, Spanish, Italian, and etc. The vernacular languages would also be considered as the large family of contemporary “Romance” languages. Before the twelfth century, Latin was the major language that was used. Especially by writers, This means all of the books were in Latin. This is how teachings and traditions were passed down. This affected the development of a society. “The developments of Latin were influenced by other native languages which included Celtic languages, Greek, and Etruscan” (University of Calgary, 1996). Over the years Latin became used less. So over time maybe even the meaning of different Latin words may have changed meaning. Latin was continuously developed because there were significant differences in each period. Latin determined if a person was higher class or not. The differences of speaking the language of the educated and the less educated populace.
Between 500 – 100 after the Empire, the peninsula was also using the vernacular language in the form of popular celebrations of religious festivals, improvisational troupes of actors, story-tellers, etc (Matthews, 2011). However none of the literature was written down and handed down to the generations. However, although none of the literature was written down, there was enough from around the year 1200 to prove that the common language could be produced into real literature of the common people.
Many individuals get caught up in Latin, the forget about the other beautiful labguages. There were also other vernacular languages being developed before the twelfth century such as early Italian. After research a person would find out that there were different languages other than Latin. Because you hear so much more about Latin then any other language. So the spread of other languages may have confused people. This could have caused problems. “At the beginning of the twelfth century other vernacular languages were then being developed. French writers began using the vernacular language because of the support of literacy that impacted education and language throughout the region. Dante and Chaucer were two writers who decided to write in their own vernacular language of Italian and English instead of using the generally accepted Latin” (Farzaneh, 2010). Thank goodness English was developed. Eventhough Latin is very beautiful, I would not want that as my first language. It seems as if it is a difficult language to speak and learn.
In conclusion, vernacular language impacted the cultures during this period because it led to a new nationalized perception and it managed to form bonds between people of different cultures and identities. With the spread and development of languages, became more advanced societies. According to an article titled “The Rise of Nationalism During the Renaissance,” vernacular language also brought about the movement of nationalism and the practicalities in the changing world of the Renaissance”(Farzaneh, 2010). A lot of people may not realize how important language is. But try and communicate to someone, effectively without knowing their language. All the way from Braille to Sign language.

References
AIU Online. (2010). Course Materials: HUMA215-1101A-02 : Topics in Cultural Studies. Retrieved February 17, 2011 from https://mycampus.aiu-online.com/Classroom/Pages/multimediacoursetext.aspx?classid=308180&tid=194&uid=184359&HeaderText=Course Materials: HUMA215-1101A-02 : Topics in Cultural Studies
Farzaneh, A. (2010). “The Rise of Nationalism During the Renaissance.” Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.suite101.com/content/the-rise-of-nationalism-during-the-renaissance-a285075
Matthews, J. (2011). “Around Naples Encyclopedia.” Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/naples/vernacular.htm
Merriam-Webster. (2011). “Vernacular.” Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vernacular

References
University of Calgary. (1996). “Latin and Vernacular Languages.” Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/firsteuro/lang.html