Colloquialism vs. Vernacular — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 26, 2024
Colloquialisms are informal language expressions specific to a region, while vernacular refers to the everyday language spoken by people in a particular area.
Difference Between Colloquialism and Vernacular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Colloquialisms are typically informal or slang expressions used within a language, often tied to specific geographic regions or social groups. On the other hand, vernacular encompasses the entire range of everyday language used by people in a specific geographic area, encompassing not just slang but also dialects and idiomatic expressions.
Colloquial language includes phrases and words that may be considered too casual or informal for formal contexts. Whereas vernacular represents the standard spoken form of a language in a particular region, often including both standard and non-standard language forms.
While colloquialisms can be part of the vernacular, they specifically represent elements that might be deemed inappropriate in formal writing or speaking. The vernacular, however, is simply the language as it is spoken by the laypeople of a region, without any specific regard to formality.
Colloquial expressions often reflect social identities and group memberships, highlighting cultural nuances and informal communication. Vernacular language, in contrast, reflects broader linguistic patterns and practices prevalent among the general population of a region.
While colloquialisms are often used deliberately to convey familiarity or local identity, vernacular usage is generally unconscious, being the natural mode of expression for daily communication among native speakers in a region.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Informal words or expressions
Common language spoken by ordinary people
Usage Context
Informal, often familiar settings
Everyday communication
Scope
Can be specific expressions
Encompasses all aspects of everyday language
Cultural Significance
Indicates local or social identity
Reflects general linguistic practices
Formality
Generally informal
Can be formal or informal
Compare with Definitions
Colloquialism
Regional sayings reflecting cultural identity.
Bless your heart is a Southern colloquialism with various connotations.
Vernacular
The commonly spoken language in a community.
Urban vernaculars can vary significantly even within the same city.
Colloquialism
Slang or non-standard phrases used casually.
Gonna is a colloquialism for going to.
Vernacular
Native language or dialect of a specific population.
The vernacular language of Quebec is French.
Colloquialism
Informal speech or writing specific to a region.
Y'all is a colloquialism commonly heard in the Southern United States.
Vernacular
Everyday language used in ordinary speech.
Spoken vernacular tends to be less formal than written language.
Colloquialism
Expressions used predominantly in spoken language.
Wanna is a colloquial form of want to.
Vernacular
Language reflecting local customs and idioms.
Irish vernacular often includes phrases from Gaelic.
Colloquialism
Language forms often avoided in formal writing.
Ain't is a colloquialism frequently discouraged in academic contexts.
Vernacular
Language that evolves naturally among speakers.
Internet slang has become part of the modern vernacular.
Colloquialism
Colloquialism or colloquial language is the linguistic style used for casual communication. It is the most common functional style of speech, the idiom normally employed in conversation and other informal contexts.
Vernacular
A vernacular or vernacular language refers to the language or dialect that is spoken by people that are inhabiting a particular country or region. The vernacular is typically the native language, normally spoken informally rather than written, and seen as of lower status than more codified forms.
Colloquialism
A word or phrase that is not formal or literary and is used in ordinary or familiar conversation
The colloquialisms of the streets
Vernacular
The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region
He wrote in the vernacular to reach a larger audience
Colloquialism
Colloquial style or quality.
Vernacular
Architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings
Buildings in which Gothic merged into farmhouse vernacular
Colloquialism
A colloquial expression.
Vernacular
(of language) spoken as one's mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language.
Colloquialism
A colloquial word or phrase; a common spoken expression.
Vernacular
(of architecture) concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings
Vernacular buildings
Colloquialism
Colloquial style of speaking.
Vernacular
The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language.
Colloquialism
A colloquial expression, not employed in formal discourse or writing.
Vernacular
A variety of such everyday language specific to a social group or region
The vernaculars of New York City.
Colloquialism
A colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech
Vernacular
The specialized vocabulary of a particular trade, profession, or group
In the legal vernacular.
Vernacular
The common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal.
Vernacular
Native to or commonly spoken by the members of a particular country or region.
Vernacular
Using the native language of a region, especially as distinct from the literary language
A vernacular poet.
Vernacular
Relating to or expressed in the native language or dialect.
Vernacular
Of or being an indigenous building style using local materials and traditional methods of construction and ornament, especially as distinguished from academic or historical architectural styles.
Vernacular
Occurring or existing in a particular locality; endemic
A vernacular disease.
Vernacular
Relating to or designating the common, nonscientific name of a biological species.
Vernacular
The language of a people or a national language.
A vernacular of the United States is English.
Vernacular
Everyday speech or dialect, including colloquialisms, as opposed to standard, literary, liturgical, or scientific idiom.
Street vernacular can be quite different from what is heard elsewhere.
Vernacular
Language unique to a particular group of people.
For those of a certain age, hiphop vernacular might just as well be a foreign language.
Vernacular
A language lacking standardization or a written form.
Vernacular
Indigenous spoken language, as distinct from a literary or liturgical language such as Ecclesiastical Latin.
Vatican II allowed the celebration of the mass in the vernacular.
Vernacular
(architecture) A style of architecture involving local building materials and styles, not imported.
Vernacular
Of or pertaining to everyday language, as opposed to standard, literary, liturgical, or scientific idiom.
Vernacular
Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature.
A vernacular disease
Vernacular
(architecture) Of or related to local building materials and styles; not imported.
Vernacular
(art) Connected to a collective memory; not imported.
Vernacular
Belonging to the country of one's birth; one's own by birth or nature; native; indigenous; - now used chiefly of language; as, English is our vernacular language.
His skill in the vernacular dialect of the Celtic tongue.
Which in our vernacular idiom may be thus interpreted.
Vernacular
The vernacular language; one's mother tongue; often, the common forms of expression in a particular locality, opposed to literary or learned forms.
Vernacular
A characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves);
They don't speak our lingo
Vernacular
The everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
Vernacular
Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;
Common parlance
A vernacular term
Vernacular speakers
The vulgar tongue of the masses
The technical and vulgar names for an animal species
Common Curiosities
Is vernacular language always informal?
While vernacular often includes informal language, it can encompass both formal and informal linguistic elements depending on the context.
Can colloquialisms be considered vernacular?
Yes, colloquialisms are a part of the vernacular, representing informal aspects specific to certain groups or regions.
How does one identify a colloquialism?
Colloquialisms are typically identified by their casual use and regional or social specificity.
What role does vernacular play in culture?
Vernacular language plays a crucial role in reflecting and preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of a community.
What does vernacular mean?
Vernacular refers to the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a specific area.
How do colloquialisms impact communication?
Colloquialisms can enhance relatability and express local identity, though they may reduce clarity in more diverse or formal settings.
Why is understanding vernacular important?
Understanding the vernacular is essential for effective communication and cultural integration within a region.
How do colloquialisms vary internationally?
Colloquialisms vary widely across different cultures and languages, reflecting unique local nuances.
What is a colloquialism?
A colloquialism is an informal expression or term used primarily in casual conversation.
Can colloquial language be learned formally?
While colloquial language is typically learned through social interaction, formal learning settings increasingly incorporate colloquial elements for practical language proficiency.
Can the vernacular of a region change over time?
Yes, the vernacular can evolve as the language, culture, and influences on a population change.
Are colloquial expressions acceptable in formal writing?
Generally, colloquial expressions are avoided in formal writing due to their informal nature.
What is the difference between jargon and colloquialism?
Jargon is specialized language used by specific professions or groups, while colloquialism is informal language used broadly within a community.
What is the significance of preserving vernacular languages?
Preserving vernacular languages is crucial for maintaining linguistic diversity and cultural identity.
What impact does globalization have on vernacular languages?
Globalization can lead to the blending of vernaculars or the influence of dominant languages on local vernaculars.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
