Vernacular Vernacular A vernacular, or vernacular language, is the language or variety of a language used in everyday life by the common people of a specific population. It is distinguished from a standard, national or literary language or a "lingua franca", used to facilitate communication across a large area. It is usually native, mostly spoken rather than written and usually seen as of lower status than more standardized forms. It can be a language, dialect or sociolect. Some linguists use "vernacular" and "nonstandard dialect" as synonyms. Usage of the word "vernacular" is not recent. In 1688, James Howell wrote: Concerning Italy,
The Dawning of the Day Aisling where the poet encounters a mysterious beautiful woman. In this case, she upbraids him as a frivolous rake and points to the approaching dawn. Notes: Helen of Troy is used in the translation rather than the literal Venus simply for its rhythm. The final verse is a poetical rather than literal translation, which would be: translation by Na Casaidigh The Dawning of the Day "The Dawning of the Day" (, literally "The bright ring of the day") is the name of two old Irish airs. O'Connellan's "Fáinne Geal an Lae" is often confused with the later pentatonic melody to