* Latin: Latin was the language of scholarship, diplomacy, and the Catholic Church. It was used in universities, government documents, and scientific writings. While the vernacular languages were gaining ground, Latin remained the dominant language of learning.
* Vernacular Languages: This refers to the languages spoken by the people in different regions of Europe. During the Renaissance, these languages gained significant prominence in literature and art. Some of the major vernacular languages included:
* Italian: The birthplace of the Renaissance, Italian saw a flourishing of literature, art, and music. Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio were some of the key figures who wrote in Italian during this time.
* French: French literature and poetry were also flourishing during the Renaissance. Writers like François Rabelais and François Villon were among the important figures of the era.
* English: While English was still developing, the Renaissance saw the emergence of important writers like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe who helped to shape the language and solidify its status as a literary language.
* Spanish: The Spanish language was also experiencing a literary renaissance with writers like Garcilaso de la Vega and Miguel de Cervantes.
* German: German literature saw a surge in popularity with authors like Martin Luther and Hans Sachs.
* Greek: As the Renaissance was also a period of renewed interest in classical Greek culture, the Greek language was also studied and used by scholars.
In essence, the Renaissance was a period of linguistic diversity, with Latin serving as the primary language of learning, and various vernacular languages gaining prominence in literature and art.