The vernacular is that which is domestic or native. For example: vernacular flower.
In order to understand the meaning of the vernacular term, it is necessary first to determine its etymological origin. In this sense, we would have to say that it emanates from Latin, vernaculus , which was used to refer to everything related to a country.
However, we cannot ignore either that this Latin word, in turn, comes from vernus , which can be translated as "indigenous", and this from verna , which was the word used to refer to the domestic slave who had arrived. to be born even in one's own home.
This adjective refers to something native or domestic , especially if it is a language or language . For example: “Scientists want to expand their knowledge about vernacular flowers” , “I apologize, but I do not understand the vernacular language” , “I have not yet mastered all the vernacular terms” .
a vernacular language
Typically, the notion of vernacular is used when, in a certain context, a language is used that is different from the native language of the speakers . For a long time, Latin replaced vernacular languages in the field of religion . Therefore, religious texts continued to be written and disseminated in Latin even in regions where other languages were spoken. Masses were also held in Latin, to the detriment of vernacular languages.
The language that is adopted to facilitate common understanding between people who do not share the same vernacular language is known as a vehicular language , lingua franca or lingua franca . The vehicular language may vary according to the time or area.
Just as Latin was the vehicular language after the dissolution of the Roman Empire , over the years it was replaced by French and German depending on the area in question. Nowadays it can be said that the lingua franca is English , since it is usually the language chosen by those who do not have the same vernacular language. Thus it is possible for a Peruvian to travel to China and communicate in English, for example.
The idea of vernacular language usually appears when one other than , the opposition arises between the aforementioned vernacular language and the other.
A type of architecture
On the other hand, we cannot ignore what is known as vernacular architecture . This is what identifies a specific region, which is the most traditional and significant of the place and has the particularity that it originates when the natives of a land find themselves in the need to build in order to survive.
Among the many characteristics that define this type of architecture we could point out the following:
• It is carried out through the use of materials and raw materials found in the area where it is undertaken.
• Constructions of this typology do not have so much an ornamental purpose as a clear objective of comfort. And what is sought is that they allow citizens to have a home with the best possible conditions in terms of lighting, air conditioning, humidity, space...
• It should be noted that the vernacular architecture of one place is different from that of another.