Vernacular Linguistics

Vernacular linguistics in the Middle Ages refers to the study and use of local languages spoken by everyday people, as opposed to Latin, which was the dominant language of scholarship and the Church. As literacy spread, writers began to compose texts in vernacular languages, making literature, education, and knowledge more accessible to the general populace. This shift promoted cultural identity and diversity, allowing different regions to express their unique perspectives and histories. Ultimately, it laid the groundwork for the development of national languages and the democratization of knowledge in later periods.