...Effects of the Vernacular Language Candace Rayford Aiu Online- Huma215-1204-20 September 2012 Abstract The Vernacular Language- simply defined as the language spoken in the streets (Sayre, 2010). This is the language that will be heard spoken amongst the common people, and used to define and identify the groups of people. The Vernacular Language impacted and changed the cultures during the early centuries. There are several factors that contribute and are responsible for the rise and spread of the vernacular language. A few of the main contributors that will be discussed in the following reading are the demand of spreading religion, demand of education, and the need of a commonly spoken language for the literature to be produced in to be available to all. The first ones to begin the practice of the vernacular language within their works of literacy were the French. France begin this in the twelfth century, a year later at the beginning of the 14th century, vernacular language had spread to parts of Europe, eventually taking over Europe. Gradually as this language made its way through the regions, writers began to expand their works to a bigger audience by writing in the vernacular. One of the greatest writers to use the vernacular language in their work was the poet Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). Normally reading and writing were skills that only a small number of people possessed. The literacy in Latin was generally limited to the people of the upper class and members...
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...romance languages. The government began to notice how difficult the Latin language was. So they began to reconstruct the Latin language with different dialects. This is known as Vulgar Latin, which is defined as a non- form of Latin which originated from the romance group. Slang as we know it today, began to form as people often times dropped syllables and said words different ways. Using the Vulgar Latin still confused people in different regions, still making it difficult to understand mainly because of the heavy accents the people had. Because of this the Latin language was done with all together and the vernacular language became popular. (The End of Europe's middle Ages) Up until the twelfth century Latin language was the main form of communication. The language was made official in western France by the government, education, and businesses. Latin is also called the living language of the times. Because it was spread to different areas of the population, the dialect was often changed in one area which made it hard for someone to recognize if they was from another area. Latin became more and more difficult to understand in regions which made it to be used less and less in the end making it a dead language. Vernacular language was made popular because many people stopped speaking Latin. The French was among the first to use vernacular language in their work, and by the fourteenth century the language spread throughout all of Europe. Vernacular language was being...
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...Topics in Cultural Studies HUMA215-1301A-36 Vernacular language is native of a particular group, region or country; mainly spoken as opposed to written. Until the 12th century, Latin was the language used among the educated and within literature. It is no surprise that Latin had such an impact on the medieval world. Latin owes its dominance to the rise of the Roman Empire from several hundred years B.C. to its demise around 1200 A.D. All through the time that it reigned supreme, Rome exported not only its values, architecture, law and art, but also its language. When the empire began to fall, the Latin language began to lose its hold on the people of Europe and North Africa. Since the empire began shrinking as early as the eighth and ninth century it is not surprising that the people living furthest from Rome itself were the first to undergo a cultural and ethnic revival, an integral part of this revival would be the use of their own vernacular language rather than the use of Latin. Latin became widely spread with the expansion of the Roman Empire. Latin eventually became the dominant the dominant language in the western half of the Empire. There were several Italic languages all belonging to the Indo-European linguistic family, Latin was among languages and its development was influenced by other tongues, including Celtic, Etruscan and Greek languages. All languages undergo development and changes and in each period of its evolution...
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...Additionally, advances of technology and import of paper marketing techniques were important for the rise of vernacular. Between 500-100 after empire the Peninsular was also using the vernacular language in the form of popular celebration of religious festival. Europe adopted the vernacular by the fourteenth century. Vernacular is the meaning of the people. The role of the women in the rise of vernacular language should also not be understated as it was commissioned work to be written in or translated to vernacular language. By the fifteenth century, vernacular language was well established as the language of literature historical record and personal expression. However, vernacular language was often subject to standardization. It was possible to rise and spread because many people did not speak Latin, not even Noble men. Vernacular made it easier to convert people to Christianity. The desire is to spread Christianity. Women wanted take part in cultural debates and technology advance. The translation of the bible is vernacular language. Most of the vernacular languages branched off from Latin and depended on the social class. Latin was wide spread during the rise of the Roman Empire and was the main spoken and written language until the fall of the Roman Empire in 1200 A.D. Latin “allowed for people of diverse linguistic backgrounds to be able to communicate,” (Sayre). Latin also changed form over time depending on who was speaking or writing it (Sayre). Latin was more...
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...Running Head: Origins of Vernacular Language Unit 1: Origins of Vernacular Language Brittany Austin Instructor: Cheryl Lemus HUMA215-1101A-02 February 17, 2011 Origins of Vernacular Language 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 (Matthews, 2011). Before the twelfth century, Latin was the major language that was used by writers. The developments of Latin were influenced by other native languages which included Celtic languages, Greek, and Etruscan (University of Calgary, 1996). Latin was continuously developed because there were significant differences in each period. These differences included those in the literary written language, and also in the differences in the spoken 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...
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...Abstract Language is a tool used to interact with others and express ideas, emotions, knowledge, memories and values. Language is also a vital tool for cultural expression it helps define each culture and identify them selves. Before vernacular language, people used Latin to communicate now each country uses a different language. In many places of the world knowing multiple languages is a virtue. “Language is the light of the mind.” (John Stuart Mill) The Impact of Vernacular Languages Latin was the common language used by different people and cultures to communicate. It was the written language of the courts, commerce and the Christian church. Latin had more than one form which changed over time due to the different people using the language, the educational level of the person speaking or writing it and the social status/class it was used around. The development of Latin literacy was greatly promoted in the late 8th century during the Carolingian Renaissance, which was the period of intellectual art, religion, and cultural revival in Europe. Although literacy had been previously introduced to people of the upper class and clergy during the period of the 8th and 9th century was when it became more widely spread. During the 780’s-790’s Charlemagne also known as Charles the Great or in Latin Carolus Magnus, invited Alcuin of York to become a leading scholar, teacher and his own personal tutor at the Carolingian court school. Alcuin was also asked by Charlemagne to be in...
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...The Spread of the Vernacular Language One may wonder what is vernacular. Vernacular can be defined as “using a language or Dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language” (Merriam- Webster). The language of vernacular began to spread in the twelfth century. Before the vernacular language, people only knew Latin. There was a difference between Latin language and vernacular language. The difference was that Latin was written, spoken, and taught to all literacy; whereas vernacular language was more of a dialect and it was not taught to all literacy. Latin had more than just one form of culture because over time it had continued to change. People had the ability to read and write, but the Latin literacy became limited to people during the twelfth century. Vernacular language was more commonly spoken, but writers began using the language in their writing. Vernacular language had an impact on cultures during the twelfth century. Before the twelfth century, Latin was more popular among people, but the origin of vernacular language began and spread. Latin language was very popular among the people. Latin was the growth of the Roman Empire and its language had spread, being used throughout the Mediterranean. Latin was originally an Italic language. Its heritage was the Indo- European family, and then later it started to influence other languages. Writer’s like Dante Alighieri began speaking to a wider audience. Vernacular was also known as...
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...The Origins of Vernacular Language Bryan K Hairston AIU Online Abstract In this paper the term vernacular can be defined as using a language that is native to a country, rather than an art, music, and literature, or storybook language. The vernacular language is considered as the family of modern romance languages. The vernacular languages are known for usage in Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese. The Origins of Vernacular Language Earlier in the twelfth century, Latin was the major language that was used for literature and among the educated. The Italian language influenced the findings, as well as other languages consequently spreading throughout Europe (Sayre, 2013). The Latin language was developed constantly due to the significant differences during each period. Changes in the spoken language incited changes in the literary written language. This was also reflected in the less educated as well. Latin language experienced endless development during each period of its evolution. There were many differences between the literary written languages which were very distinct from the spoken language of the educated as opposed to the less educated general public. Latin was also influenced by local languages spoken or written within a larger region under the influence of what later came known as the Roman Empire (M.U.S.E). The development of writings and learning in Latin Language was strongly influenced by the Greeks. However, for people in Western Europe...
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...history and the effects of vernacular language on culture in Latin America can date back to the twelfth century where vernacular language was used for means of religious inquiry, social class identification, and formerly, Latin was the most used language wherever a Roman empire had ruled. Previously in Latin America, Catholicism was practiced. Latin America has many influences from other cultures. For example: Latin America adopted European Colonial culture where it used its literature, painting, music, and language. Immigration practices, slave use from Africa including but not limited to dance and religion. Latin America has based most of its culture upon another. Latin American practice many religions but most of the population consisted of high class individuals who practiced the Christian religion. Christianity dominated during medieval times. At one point, Christian faith affected everyone in Western Europe. To seek answers, Latin’s used to read Latin classics, analyzed Roman law, and works of church fathers. Furthermore, Latin America has a high taste in literature with literary works such as “The Song of Roland “and Chretien de Troyesis. Poets and authors of this time viewed themselves and conductors of knowledge. Vernacular language was of great use in these works but nor for the reason that became to be. In these works, vernacular language was used as a street language. Literary work by the French spread in vernacular language and this alone contributed to...
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...Sharon Hartman AIU Online ORIGINS OF VERNACULAR LANGUAGE Abstract Several things were responsible for the spread of the vernacular language. The one thing that stood out as a consequence is religion. It seems only logical that the end result would have been what it was from all the factors that were responsible. Vernacular refers to the speech used in a particular town or community. Up until the Fourteenth Century, Latin was the vernacular most widely used in the then civilized world. It was used by the religious leaders in the churches and by the aristocracy of the time. This was to show power and wealth and breeding. It was the noblewomen who commissioned works of music and literature and poetry into Latin to preserve it. Latin was the prevalent language as it comes from the Romans who had conquered most of the land and territories of Europe. As the Roman Empire grew, so did the Latin language, both spoken and written, no matter the native dialect. This made it easy to use in business but for religious purposes this created a problem. Business men knew that they could travel from port to port and speak to each other in a Latin with no inherent problems. Both spoke the same language for trading. However when the religious sect tried to convert other cultures to Roman Catholicism, if the people they were trying to convert were not of the rich and influential, the communication was hard. Eventually the vernacular language of the particular culture or territory took over and...
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...The Origins of Vernacular Language Kenneth M. Zachary Sr. American Interconitental University April 07, 2013 Abstract This paper defines vernacular language as it relates to the Latin Culture and explores the factors responsible for the rise of vernacular language; we also evaluate the impact the spread of vernacular languages had on cultures during this period. The Origins of Colloquial Speech INTRODUCTION We define colloquial speech as the spoken dialect of a particular group, profession, region, or country; especially as spoken rather than formally written. By the early fourteenth century the French became the first culture to use colloquial speech in their literary works; and its usage expanded all through Europe. During this era, English became the traditional vernacular for the government, and journalism. In addition, due to this transformation of colloquial speech, a dispute raged over its appropriateness as an instrument for communicating scripture and theology. Courtly literature holds some responsibility for the shift from Latin to colloquial speech; moreover, women also played an important role in the growth of colloquial speech (Sayre, 2013). As a matter of fact, it was a noble woman who preserved history by publishing works that were printed in or converted to colloquial speech. (McCash, 2008) In addition, colloquial speech was the language established for journalism, chronological documentation and individual sayings; this transformation took place...
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...Impacts of the Vernacular Language In this paper we will be discussing a few different aspects to the rise of vernacular languages, its use, the spread of it and how it impacted the different cultures within the medieval age. From the rise of the Christian Churches to the time of courtly love, troubadours and the romantic love era vernacular languages impacted the people of France throughout Western Europe and the rest of the world. Though the people of the general population where not able to interpret and understand the Latin language known as the language of the elite (the educated or the people of higher and political authority) until mid to late middle ages, they began to write and speak through the common languages within their countries to make it easier to communicate and understand laws, romantic love and to also spread the words of god within the Christian churches. The Catholic Church was established in 325 CE (Sayre,2013), approximately 300 years after the death of Jesus Christ. By 476 BE, the Germans had taken over the Roman Empire under the rule of Constantine as he started to build his empire known as the Byzantine Empire . Constantine, the first Christian ruler, a believer of Jesus Christ, moved the Roman Empire to Instanbul, formerly known as modern day, Turkey. Upon establishing his empire and the Christian church Constantine named that city after himself, Constantinople. After the Christian Church was established came the Medieval Ages which took...
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...The History of Vernacular Languages Lea Pidgeon American Intercontinental University Online Abstract This paper discusses the origins and history of vernacular languages in the twelfth century. It also describes some of the cultural changes that resulted from this shift in language. The History of Vernacular Languages One definition for vernacular language is “The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language” (Farlex Inc,, 2013). There are many forms of vernacular languages that vary from region to region within a particular country. A few examples include: Celtic Languages, such as, Irish Gaelic, Scots Gaelic (Erse), Manx Gaelic Germanic languages, such as, Bavarian German, Dutch, English (Old English, Anglo-Saxon), Frisian, High German, Low German, and Yiddish. During the rise of the Roman Empire Latin became the common language. Only the upper class and clergy were literate in Latin. During the High Middle Ages, the feudal aristocracy felt the need for literacy and education. This created a demand for literature that applied to the lives if the ruling military class. This brought about the beginning of the spread of different forms of vernacular language. The spread of vernacular languages was also due to the consolidation of monarchies and the decreased papal influence. Due to the breakdown of Christendom, separate countries ruled by one king or emperor (Applied History Research Group, 1997). These events created...
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...Topics in Cultural Studies: Latin and Vernacular Languages Topics in Cultural Studies: Latin and Vernacular Languages Spanish is spoken today by more than 300 million people around the world and is one of the most common languages of the modern world. Spanish is used in South America, Europe and in some parts of Africa. The once native language of a region in Spain has evolved to become one of the most common languages today after more than six hundred years. It is one of the Indo-European languages and dates back to more than five thousand years. Latin was one of the major languages to influence the development of Spanish over the years as the Roman Empire spread across Europe. Latin gained popularity in the Spanish peninsula as the people adopted in for ease in communication while also adding to it the elements of local dialect which later developed to be known as Hispanic Latin. The Spanish peninsula was later conquered by Muslims who brought Arabic and Islamic literature with them. After the end of the Muslim rule in Spain, Spanish spread to the newly discovered lands of North America when Columbus set out to discover new sea routes to Asia. The conquests of South America and some African lands helped Spanish spread and evolve while accommodating local dialects of the conquered lands. Though many of the conquered areas of Americas gained independence after some years, the people living in those areas had learnt, developed and spread Spanish to an extent that...
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...Greek and Roman Civilization Achille Tyson AIU Online HUMA 215 Professor: Dr. Lisa Feder Due Date: Jul 22, 2012 This is a chart to compare and contrast distinguishing elements of early Roman and early Greek cultures. CATAGORIES | GREEK | ROMAN | | Religion | 1. Greek religion was festive. 2. More poetic and less practical. 3. Not much was placed on religion to make it a state religion. 4. Less ritualistic. 5. God and Goddesses | 1. Roman religion was of a conservative and serious nature. 2. More ritualistic and ceremonial than the Greek’s religion. 3. Emphasized a state religion. 4. Gods are more defined. 5. Cult-like religion | | Architecture/Art | 1. Like marble when dealing with sculptures. 2. Love the Doric and Ionic style of architecture. An example of the Doric and Ionic style architecture style or design is the famous temple of Parthenon. 3. Interested in perfection as it relates to art. 4. They were interested in mythology and focus on that when it comes to art. 5. Greek art were “good” | 1. Liked to use cement and concrete to make their sculptures...
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