vulgar language

In both the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance era educated people looked down on the national language spoken by ordinary people which they called vulgus and regarded as inadequate for a high quality scientific and literary work. Although everyone was aware that in Europe from the 11th century high quality poetry existed in this language (Provancal, French, Italian, German, English etc.) the majority of the 15th century humanists ruled out the use of these "barbaric" languages. Their idea was also supported by theological consideration, namely that only those languages are considered "holy" in which God inspired the Bible: i.e. Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The second generation of Hungarian Erasmists stood in opposition with this theory.

ÁP-SzJú