VERNACULAR AND STANDARD LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE VARIETIES
In order to assess the relative claims of different languages it is necessary to look at their status and the functions which they serve. Sociolinguists have developed a number of ways of categorizing languages, according to their status and social functions. The distinction between a vernacular language and a standard language is a useful place to start.
A. VENACULAR LANGUAGES
Vernacular is the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region. Furthermore this language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region. In addition, the language use spoken as one’s mother tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language. Vernacular language use in speech or written works, using the mother tongue of a country or region. Vernacular literature, vernacular describes everyday language, including slang, that’s used by the people, the vernacular is different from literary or official language; it’s way people really talk with each other, like how families talk at home. Vernacular is different: think of it as how friends talk when no one is listening. Vernacular language includes slang. One of the hardest things about writing for school is getting away from the vernacular and learning to write in more formal ways that don’t come as naturally. You can also say specific groups have a vernacular, meaning the unique way people in a certain region or profession speak’.
“Vernaculars; another name used to refer to languages, especially to the ones regarded as the local varieties”.
It generally refers to a language which has not been standardized and which does not have official status. Vernaculars are usually the first languages learned by people in multilingual communities; in addition, they are often used for a relatively narrow range of informal function.

a. There are three components of the meaning of the term vernacular such as;
1. The most basic refers to the fact that a vernacular is an uncodified or unstandardized variety. This component have been most widely used as the defining criterion, but emphasis on one or other of the components has led to the use of the term vernacular with somewhat different meanings.
2. The second refers to the way it is acquired in the home as a first variety.
3. The third is the fact that it is used for relatively circumscribed functions.
The term vernacular simply means a language which is not an official language in a particular context. When the people talk about education in vernacular language, for instance, they are usually referring to education in an ethnic minority language in a particular country. The vernacular is the variety used for communication in the home and with close friends. It is the language of solidarity between people from the same ethnic group. By extension the term has been used to refers in a monolingual community to the most informal and colloquial variety of a language which may also have a standardized variety. Therefore, the term vernacular is sometimes used to indicate that a language is used for everyday interaction without implying that it is appropriate only in informal domains. There are hundreds of vernacular languages such as, Buang in Papua New Guinea.
b. Characteristic of vernacular language;
1. The standard native language of a country or locality.
2. The everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary language
3. A variety of such everyday language specific to a social group or region: the vernaculars of New York City.
4. The idiom of a particular trade or profession: in the legal vernacular.
5. An idiomatic word, phrase, or expression.
6. The common, nonscientific name of a plant or animal.
7. Native to or commonly spoken by the members of a particular country or region.
8. Using the native language of a region, especially as distinct from the literary language: a vernacular poet.
9. Relating to or expressed in the native language or dialect.
10. 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.
11. Occurring or existing in a particular locality; endemic: a vernacular disease.

c. Example vernacular language;
Banjar`s language is a vernacular language.
Dialog 1 Banjar language
Intan : Eh, napa diulah? Maliat pang.
Sinta : Anu nih, ada barita hanyar.
Intan : Barita napa teh ?
Sinta : Ada paninian tacabur ka susumuran. Ujer ditunjul tuyul macal pang !!
Intan : parah ikam ne. dusta wara !!
Sinta : paraya kada parcaya. Hahaha…

Reason :
“This dialog is used Banjar`s Language because it is easy to understand in spoke.”

B. STANDARD LANGUAGE
Language may also be varied according to whether it is perceived to be correct or not. In regard to this view, terms ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’ variety of a language are applied. A standard language is developed as a result of a sociopolitical process. It is not entirely the same as the formal variety of a language. A standard variety of a language includes both formal and informal or colloquial variety. However, the language used in the formal occasions is often characterized with the use of standard forms. Thus, in regard to the occasion where the variety is used, the standard language variety might be associated with the formal variety. A Standard language is generally one which is written, and which has undergone some degree of regularization or codification (for example, in a grammar and a dictionary). Furthermore, it is a language variety used by a group of people in their public discourse. Alternatively, varieties become standard by undergoing a process of standardization, during which it is organized for description in grammars and dictionaries and encoded in such reference works. Furthermore, Standard languages arise when a certain dialect begins to be used in written form, normally throughout a broader area than that of the dialect itself. The ways in which this language is use in administrative matters, literature, and economic life lead to the minimization of linguistic variation
“Standard language; the variety of a language that is considered as a better one for its phonological, lexical, and grammatical correctness”.
In English, a definition of the standard variety has been stated once as quoted below :
“Standard English is that variety of English which is usually used in print, and which is normally taught in schools and to non native speakers learning the language. It is also the variety which is normally spoken by educated people and used in news broadcasts and other similar situation”, (Peter Trudgill, 1978).
From the quotation above, two criterions to identify standard English are suggested. First, standard English is printed (written variety). Second, it is taught to non-native speakers in schools. Based on these, the word fun will be regarded as a standard word because it is learned by the non-native speakers at schools and it is printed in the newspapers, magazines, or official documents. However, a word with similar meaning, craic is probably considered as non-standard, because it is used exclusively by Irish English speakers, besides, the word is not the one that is taught to English learners in Indonesia, China, Egypt, Jordan, and in all other parts of the world. Therefore, most people would agree that craic is a dialectal variety. Another example, the use of have two children is standard as such a phrase is printed and introduced to English learners at schools. Using the same perspective, the different between standard and non-standard English sentence structures can also be spotted, for example my sister, she works and she lives outwith the town. Is obviously a non-standard English as it is filled with the use of a non-standard preposition , but my sister works and she lives outside the town is standard and such a sentence can be found with most English users. The former one is common only to speakers of scottish English.
a. Characteristic of standard language;
1. A recognized dictionary (standardized spelling and vocabulary)
2. A recognized grammar
3. A standard pronunciation (educated speech)

b. Example standard language;
Dialog 2, Indonesia language;
Ira : Permisi. Maaf saya menggangu, bu. Bolehkah saya bertanya ?
My Teacher : Iya. Silakan. Apa yang mau kamu tanyakan?
Ira : Begini bu, sehubungan dengan tugas yang anda berikan. Kapan batas pengumpulan tugasnya?
My Teacher : Batas pengumulannya sampai minggu depan.
Ira : Oh. Terima kasih ibu.
My Teacher : Sama-sama.
Reason:
“Indonesia language is a standard language”.

EXAMPLES VERNACULAR AND STANDARD LANGUAGES
Example: 1
African American vernacular English African American standard English
She very nice She’s very nice
He a teacher He‘s a teacher
That my book That’s my book
The beer warm The beer’s warm

Example 2
African American vernacular English American standard English
She be at school on weekdays She’s always at school on weekdays
The children do be messin’ around a lot The children do mess around a lot
I run when I bees on my way to school I always run when I’m on my way to school
The beer be warm at that place The beer’s always warm at that place

Different between Standard languages and Vernacular languages
Standard Languages Vernacular Languages
1. -Can be used in many areas
2. -High prestige
3. -A prestigious variety. Economic, social, and political influences
4. -Codified from grammar and dictionaries 1. -Limited used in certain area
2. -Low prestige
3. -The variety used for daily interaction in informal domains.
4. -An uncodified or unstandardized variety

CONCLUSION
Vernacular describes everyday language, including slang, that’s used by the people, the vernacular is different from literary or official language; it’s way people really talk with each other, like how families talk at home. Meanwhile, Standard language; the variety of a language that is considered as a better one for its phonological, lexical, and grammatical correctness.
Standard Languages Vernacular Languages
1. -Can be used in many areas
2. -High prestige
3. -A prestigious variety. Economic, social, and political influences
4. -Codified from grammar and dictionaries 1. -Limited used in certain area
2. -Low prestige
3. -The variety used for daily interaction in informal domains.
4. -An uncodified or unstandardized variety