Vernacular dance
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Vernacular dances are dances which have developed 'naturally' as a part of 'everyday' culture within a particular community.
The word 'vernacular' is used here in much the same as it is in reference to vernacular language. To quote from the first language page, vernacular (or first language) languages "are learned naturally without formal instruction, such as through cultural immersion before puberty. Often a child learns the basics of his or her first languages from his or her family."
Much the same comments may be made about vernacular dances: vernacular dances are those learned naturally without formal instruction, such as through cultural immersion before puberty. Often a child learns the basics of their first dances from their family.
Vernacular dances often develop with close close relationships to music, such as salsa (dance) and salsa music and lindy hop and jazz music. As a result, there are often clear structural relations between vernacular dances and vernacular music, and they often reflect similar artistic and creative values (such as improvisation or approaches to tempo and timing).
Vernacular dances share much in common with folk dances, yet unlike these largely historical forms, vernacular dances frequently place great emphases on improvisation, and are characterised by ongoing change and development in steps, styles and social dancing cultures. Because they exist in social spaces and their main 'purpose' is self-expression, they are continually changing to reflect the needs, interests and personalities of their participants. They are also often characterised by their 'stealing' or 'borrowing' from other dance traditions and any particular vernacular dance shows clear evidence of its relationship to other, earlier dances.
While vernacular dances are often influenced by social institutions in the communities in which they exist (such as religion, economics and so on), they are not regulated by any clear body or organisation. There are no 'official' rules. However, their close relationship with other social structures and conventions within a community means that vernacular dances usually reflect the social values, mores and traditions of their local community, for example, in terms of gender roles.
