Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 11:36:59 -0800

From: Peter Richardson prichard[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]LINFIELD.EDU

Subject: Re: vernacular



I took up Ellen Johnson's request the other day, asking my students via

email to send me their definitions of _vernacular_ without having

consulted a dictionary. About 1/2 the class did so, or at least said that

they didn't know what it meant. The results, which don't include (unsent)

contributions from some who I'm sure do have a workable and believable

definition at hand:



Seven students had no idea what it meant.



Quotes from the rest:



I think the word vernacular means to understand something very well.



It reminds me of varnish or shellac--something associated with pottery

that makes it shiny or something like that.



I think that this word is used to describe how words are vocally

pronounced.



A clear sound or voice. A tone that is pleasing to the ear.



Used interchangeably with _jargon_



I've heard it in the following context: "In a vernacular sense"



I send this not as an "O tempora, o morons" plaint, but as a simple

contribution to Ellen's article.



Peter Richardson