Lexicon vs. Vernacular — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
"Lexicon" refers to the vocabulary of a language or subject, while "Vernacular" denotes the everyday language spoken by a community.
Difference Between Lexicon and Vernacular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Lexicon" and "Vernacular" are terms that delve into language and its components. The term "Lexicon" predominantly refers to the vocabulary or the set of words that belong to a language or a specific subject. Think of a lexicon as a collection, an inventory of words that serve as the building blocks for communication in a particular domain.
"Vernacular," on the other hand, points towards the everyday language used by a certain group of people. It is the spoken language, the colloquial speech that people use in daily conversations. Whereas a lexicon can be perceived as a toolkit or repository of words, vernacular is the application, the real-world utilization of those words in everyday contexts.
To further the distinction, if one were to study a language, the lexicon would offer a comprehensive list of words and their meanings. The vernacular would reveal how these words come to life in day-to-day interactions. For example, a lexicon might list formal terms, but the vernacular would show the slang, idioms, and colloquialisms that people frequently use.
Moreover, while lexicons can be vast, capturing a wide array of words, vernacular is dynamic, evolving with societal changes, local influences, and time. It is the fingerprint of a community, reflecting its culture, history, and values.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Vocabulary of a language or subject.
Everyday language of a community.
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Grammatical Role
Typically used as a noun.
Mostly used as a noun.
Contextual Use
Descriptive of a collection of words.
Describes the spoken language used by people in daily life.
Relation to Language
A comprehensive list of words.
The application of language in real-world contexts.
Associated Concepts
Dictionary, terms, language study.
Slang, colloquialisms, idioms.
Compare with Definitions
Lexicon
The vocabulary of a person, group, or subject.
Medical jargon is part of the doctor's lexicon.
Vernacular
Nonstandard language or dialect.
The novel captures the vernacular of urban youth.
Lexicon
The complete set of meaningful units in a language.
New technology introduces new words into our lexicon.
Vernacular
Everyday language, as opposed to formal language.
He prefers the vernacular, avoiding jargon.
Lexicon
A list of words and their meanings.
He added the new term to his lexicon.
Vernacular
The native language of a specific population.
She spoke in the vernacular of her hometown.
Lexicon
A dictionary or reference book.
She consulted the lexicon for a precise definition.
Vernacular
Relating to the native language of a region.
The poem was translated from the vernacular.
Lexicon
A lexicon is the vocabulary of a language or branch of knowledge (such as nautical or medical). In linguistics, a lexicon is a language's inventory of lexemes.
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.
Lexicon
A dictionary.
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
Lexicon
A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style; a vocabulary
The lexicon of surrealist art.
Vernacular
Architecture concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings
Buildings in which Gothic merged into farmhouse vernacular
Lexicon
The vocabulary of an individual person
“A few of the women tittered, whether in response to the fluctuating octaves of my voice or the awkwardness of my lexicon” (Elisabeth Brink).
Vernacular
(of language) spoken as one's mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language.
Lexicon
(Linguistics) The morphemes of a language considered as a group.
Vernacular
(of architecture) concerned with domestic and functional rather than public or monumental buildings
Vernacular buildings
Lexicon
The vocabulary of a language.
Vernacular
The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language.
Lexicon
A dictionary that includes or focuses on lexemes.
Vernacular
A variety of such everyday language specific to a social group or region
The vernaculars of New York City.
Lexicon
A dictionary of Classical Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Aramaic.
Vernacular
The specialized vocabulary of a particular trade, profession, or group
In the legal vernacular.
Lexicon
(programming) The lexicology of a programming language. (Usually called lexical structure.)
Vernacular
The common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal.
Lexicon
(rare) Any dictionary.
Vernacular
Native to or commonly spoken by the members of a particular country or region.
Lexicon
The vocabulary used by or known to an individual. (Also called lexical knowledge.)
Vernacular
Using the native language of a region, especially as distinct from the literary language
A vernacular poet.
Lexicon
A set of vocabulary specific to a certain subject.
The baseball lexicon
Vernacular
Relating to or expressed in the native language or dialect.
Lexicon
A list thereof.
A baseball lexicon
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.
Lexicon
A vocabulary, or book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language or of a considerable number of them, with the definition of each; a dictionary; especially, a dictionary of the Greek, Hebrew, or Latin language.
Vernacular
Occurring or existing in a particular locality; endemic
A vernacular disease.
Lexicon
A language user's knowledge of words
Vernacular
Relating to or designating the common, nonscientific name of a biological species.
Lexicon
A reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them
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
Vernacular
Architecture based on local needs and construction materials.
The homes showcased the region's vernacular.
Common Curiosities
Is "Vernacular" always informal?
Generally, vernacular is informal, everyday language, but it can vary by community.
Can "Lexicon" refer to slang terms?
Yes, a lexicon can include slang as part of a language's vocabulary.
Can a lexicon be subject-specific?
Yes, fields like medicine or law have their own specialized lexicons.
Does vernacular include idioms?
Yes, vernacular often includes idioms, slang, and colloquial expressions.
Does every language have its own lexicon?
Yes, every language has its own unique lexicon or set of words.
Does vernacular capture cultural nuances?
Yes, vernacular reflects the culture, history, and values of a community.
Is vernacular restricted to spoken language?
Primarily, but it can also refer to written forms that capture everyday speech.
Can architecture have a vernacular style?
Yes, vernacular architecture is designed based on local needs and materials.
Is vernacular the same across a country?
No, vernacular can vary by region, city, or even community within a country.
Does a lexicon change over time?
Absolutely, as languages evolve, the lexicon can expand or shift.
How is a lexicon different from a dictionary?
While both list words and meanings, a lexicon is more about vocabulary, and a dictionary offers detailed definitions, usage, etc.
Can a person have their own personal lexicon?
Indirectly, yes. It refers to the set of words an individual knows or uses frequently.
Is vernacular influenced by popular culture?
Definitely. Movies, music, and media can introduce new terms into the vernacular.
How do lexicons help in language studies?
They provide a comprehensive list of words, aiding in understanding the vocabulary of a language.
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Written 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.
