Latin Heresiarch: Ending the Socialism of Language with Vernacular Language

Could the use of Latin have been a means of socialism of language? Many 12th century writers thought so. With the fall of the Roman Empire came the desire from the common people to let go of some of the common practices and beliefs of Rome and to reach back to their native tongue. For some it was to gain an understanding that had been unclear in the Latin language. For others, it was a new beginning for national realization. The literary movement of Italy helped to shape the medieval climate and eventually bring about the ending of what could possibly have been used as a socialistic language.

Latin Heresiarch: Ending the Socialism of Language with Vernacular Language
What is Latin? Is it possible that without Latin, English wouldn’t even exist? Latin is a descendant of the Proto-Indo European language that originated in the Italian peninsula. Even though Latin is considered to be a dead language, it is still used to create new words in many languages including English. During the time period 1200 AD Latin went through a lot of phases such as the development of the literary movement, the medieval climate, and the socialism of language. These things along are why Latin is one of the oldest languages of all time. Development of the Literary Movement
Latin owes its dominance to the rise of the Roman Empire, but with the demise of Rome comes the demise of the Latin language around 1200 AD. At this time the people living the furthest from Rome were the first to undergo a cultural change. Choosing to use their native tongue rather than Latin, many began to speak in their languages of; Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian. Latin became mixed with vernacular languages initially with oral story-telling, improvisational troupes of actors and religious festivals. Very little was written down. While many believe the writings of Francis Assisi’s to be early Italian, it is actually best considered a vernacular neo-Latin dialect. At this time, Italian and any other vernacular language was considered to be vulgar in contrast to the romantic and intelligent language of Latin.
The Medieval Climate People began to want literature that reflected the interest and virtues of their lands. So came writers such as Dante (1265-1321) who, although feeling that the Latin language was superior, also felt that the Latin language that was understood to only the educated and church had abandoned the common people. With increased nationalism also came the decline of influence by the Latin Roman Catholic Church. People wanted to identify with a single country, king or government. Whether by reasons of church or state, most feudal courts were taking use of vernacular language while the more formal courts of politics chose the international language of Latin. By 1200, most were written in vernacular languages. The people could not read Latin and also could not clearly understand the Roman Catholic Clergymen as they preached. As established universities were supposed to instill the beliefs of the Christian Kingdom of Europe, several heretics developed as well. The social control of the church began to fade.

Ending the Socialism of Language Many famous writers such as Dante and Chaucer began to write in their vernacular languages of Italian and English, denying the generally accepted Latin language of Rome and the church. By doing this the local people begin to have a shared national attachment within their lands. As a result, political and economic adaption’s took place. In France, Louis XI took the side of the middle class and away from the church whenever the interest of his own nation was at stake. While in England, Henry VII consistently acted to the profit of his nation’s prosperity and broke from the stronghold of the Latin Roman Catholic Church. Freedom of Language By making a conscious use of vernacular language many nations, communities, tribes and regions became more individualized by utilizing free thought and expression. In allowing the average man to opportunity of realization that the Latin language had not, political and economical habits were no longer held by one entity.