* Vernacular Language: Refers to the everyday language spoken by people in a particular region or social group. It's the informal language of the people, often with its own unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. This means it could be any language, including English.
* English Language: Refers to the specific language spoken by people in many countries worldwide. It has its own set of rules, grammar, and vocabulary.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
Vernacular Language
* Scope: A specific local or social dialect of any language.
* Usage: Informal, everyday speech.
* Example: "Y'all" in some Southern American English dialects.
* Characteristics: Unique vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and slang that may be specific to a particular region or social group.
English Language
* Scope: A global language spoken by many people in various countries.
* Usage: Both formal and informal contexts.
* Example: Standard English, as taught in schools and used in official documents.
* Characteristics: A standardized set of rules, grammar, and vocabulary.
Relationship:
Think of it like this: English can be a vernacular language. For example, "Cockney English" is a vernacular language, a dialect of English spoken in London's East End.
Key Points:
* There can be many vernacular languages within a larger language like English.
* Vernacular languages often evolve independently, leading to regional variations.
* The English language encompasses both formal (standard) and informal (vernacular) forms.
Therefore, "vernacular language" and "English language" are not mutually exclusive. A vernacular language can be a variety of English, and English itself can encompass various vernaculars.