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vernacular language

[vərˈnækjələr ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ]
nounpl: vernacular languages
língua vernácula
1. The native language or dialect of a specific region or group of people; the ordinary language spoken by common people in a particular place, as distinguished from formal, literary, or standard language
Shakespeare wrote much of his work in the English vernacular language rather than Latin.
Shakespeare escreveu grande parte de sua obra na língua vernácula inglesa em vez do latim.
2. The everyday speech of ordinary people; colloquial language used in informal contexts
The doctor explained the medical condition in vernacular language so the patient could understand.
O médico explicou a condição médica em linguagem vernácula para que o paciente pudesse entender.
Synonyms
native languagecolloquial languagecommon languagedialectmother tonguelingua vernácula
Antonyms
formal languageliterary languagestandard languageofficial languageclassical language

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
língua vernácula
Standard term used in education and linguistics
Rio de Janeiro
língua do povo
More colloquial expression meaning 'language of the people'
São Paulo
linguagem vernácula
Commonly used in academic and formal contexts
Portugal
língua vernácula
Standard term, often used in historical and linguistic discussions

Related Idioms & Phrases

speak the same language
talk in plain English
common parlance
in the vernacular
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