vernacolare
masculine
The English phrase 'vernacular' can be translated into Italian as vernacolare or linguaggio.
Meaning: everyday speech (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| vernacolare | masculine | |
| linguaggio | /linˈɡwad.d͡ʒo/ | masculine |
The term refers to everyday speech.
Which one should you use?
vernacolare is used in a more technical, linguistic or formal sense to describe a vernacular, whereas linguaggio refers more generally to language or speech. In everyday Italian conversation, people are much more likely to use the word dialetto to refer to a local vernacular than the technical term vernacolare.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern Italy, specifically in Apulia, you may encounter the term lingua pugliese to refer to the vernacular.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word vernacolare is etymologically linked to the Latin 'verna', which referred to a slave born within a household. This implies that a 'vernacular' language was once seen as the native tongue of the domestic space.
- Italian has a unique relationship with the vernacular because for centuries, the 'standard' Italian was actually a vernacular from Tuscany that became the national norm.
- In Italy, the concept of the vernacolare is tied to the 14th century, when writers like Dante Alighieri chose to write in the 'vulgar' tongue instead of Latin to reach the common people.
Examples in context
- Nel XIV secolo, Dante Alighieri scrisse in lingua volgareIn the 14th century, Dante Alighieri wrote in the vernacular
- La lingua popolare cambia rapidamente nel corso del tempoThe vernacular changes rapidly over time
- Parliamo nella lingua comune, senza usare termini troppo tecniciLet's speak in the vernacular, without using overly technical terms
- La parlata popolare varia da regione a regioneThe vernacular varies from region to region
- Nella mia città, il dialetto è molto diverso dall'italiano standardIn my city, the dialect is very different from standard Italian
- In un contesto informale, useremmo la "lingua comune" invece del "linguaggio accademico"In an informal context, we would use the "vernacular" instead of academic language
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are discussing a local dialect.
- AlessandroChiara, conosci il vernacolare di questa città?Chiara, do you know the vernacular of this city?
- ChiaraSì, Alessandro, lo parlano ancora i miei nonni.Yes, Alessandro, my grandparents still speak it.
- AlessandroÈ interessante sentire il vernacolare dal vivo.It is interesting to hear the vernacular live.
- ChiaraHai ragione, è una parte della nostra cultura.You are right, it is a part of our culture.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vernacular” translations and entries vernacolare, linguaggio, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries linguaggio, vernacolare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
