Vernacular Latin refers to the everyday spoken form of Latin used by the common people during the Roman Empire and in the early Middle Ages. Unlike Classical Latin, which was the formal written language of literature and official documents, Vernacular Latin evolved through regional dialects and was influenced by local languages. As the Roman Empire declined, Vernacular Latin gradually transformed into the various Romance languages, such as Spanish, French, and Italian. This evolution illustrates how language can change over time, adapting to the needs and influences of its speakers.