Is There is Any Advantages to Learning Latin

The following is a direct copy of my work at: Transparent Language Latin Blog

There has been much debate over the teaching and learning of Latin due to the language’s “supposed” uselessness. The fact that Latin has been categorized as a dead language ( which is defined as: “A language no longer in everyday use by a native population”) has often been a negative point in these debates. It has even lead to the British Museum hosting the academic debate earlier this summer: Does Latin have a Future?  So, the question must be posed “Is there any advantage to learning a dead language?”

Although, Latin is defined as a dead language due to the fact that is has no native population; it could be argued that the Vatican’s population and academics are Latin’s unconventional native population. Since Latin is spoken, taught, analyzed, and used almost everyday amongst these communities.  Regardless if Latin being spoken by 3 people or 3 million people, it is a language to be admired, esteemed, and prized.

 

So, is there a point to learning a dead language? The BBC did the following survey:
While this survey of Latin’s validity seems to be mixed for the modern day person; beyond a doubt Latin’s prevalence within our society can be seen in phrases such as:  ”per se,” “carpe diem,” “pro bono,” “et cetera,” and ”ergo.” These are all Latin terms that people use everyday without even considering that they are speaking a dead language. Even more astonishing is the fact that most currency has Latin on it which goes unnoticed!

 

USELESSNESS & UFEFULNESS OF LATIN:
One key argument against Latin’s validity and usefulness in modern day society is: “How can it better an individual within modern society?” Since, Latin is not taught in every school, it is not a requirement for 95% of  schools or occupations, and it is so obscure and removed from society; it is considered outdated and antediluvian. Donald Clark posted the following in his blog regarding Latin: 10 Reasons to NOT teach Latin.

                                             

 

Clark’s points seem to argue a negative perspective on aspects that have been proven otherwise on Latin’s resourcefulness: Helping you learn other languages, grammar, cognitive skills, et cetera (Latin for ”and the rest”). Moreover, Latin roots are used in everyday words and assist in learning new words with similar roots. Also, Latin has been proved to assist in increasing vocabulary as in this Iowa Study that saw a grade level improvement with middle school students who studied Latin for twenty minute daily sessions. And one more pro to learning Latin would have to be understanding Harry Potter spells:

 

How popular would you consider Facebook? I would argue that Facebook is one of the most used and popular social media sites. Facebook allows their users to use whatever language for their Facebook format…even Latin! So,do you have a Facebook account? Well, I dare you today to make a 24 hour commitment to change your language from English to Latin. Although it does not change everything from English to Latin, it is enough of a change that you notice differences, are able to understand some Latin, and increase your cognitive ability.  Go ahead try it and become a ”Dominus!” Also, give Latin Becomes a Living Language a read on Latin Lingua on Facebook.



“Uses Latin Language on Facebook…just like a Boss/ Master.”

 

There are plenty of articles that recommend Latin for various reasons: Why Study Latin? However, I firmly believe that if you have the drive and passion to learn any language that you should pursue it. This passion and drive can be seen amongst the National Junior Classical League students who met for their annual competition. These students clearly LOVE Latin.  There is something unique with learning Latin, since I have never seen student this excited for modern or “alive” languages. A video of  the NJCL students can be see here.
Learning a new language at any point in life is great for your brain! In conclusion, I recommend Transparent Language  which offers some fine resources and products to learning a language in addition to their resourceful language blogs.
On my last note, I have covered so far some basics on Latin in the modern world from media resources to it’s validity. So, if anyone would like a discussion on a particular topics please comment, but if not I look forward to writing on a wide array of topics translating texts and artifacts from Ancient Roman Society.

Is Latin Really a Dead Language in our Society?

The world is moving at the speed of light with out new gadgets and gizmos from tablet to Androids to laptops to game consoles, et cetera. There seems to be no more time for the language that has immensely shaped our current culture: Latin.

Often, those who study or have learned Latin at some point in their academic career have asked themselves or even their professors: "What is the point of learning Latin? It is a dead language, right?"  

To this question, I shudder to think what else in our world may be forgotten or disregard for simply being "considered" redundant or outdated.

Latin is every bit alive and thriving as other foreign language, perhaps even in some regards more so than current day foreign languages. It is older than most languages and is the great-great-grandfather of many European and romance languages today. Due to Latin's age, its "believed" redundancy, and the outdated attitude adopted towards it, now more than ever there is a new interest and spark concerning Latin, Latin speakers, writers, students, users, and it's usefulness.

Recently, June 14th to be exact, the British Museum conducted a three day debate on " Does Latin Have a Future?" The debate discussed at some length Latin's place in classrooms, culture, and overall it's usefulness in society today. While some may not see the usefulness for Latin within our culture let alone our classrooms; many would beg to differ.

Mary Beard ,a Classics Professor at the University of Cambridge and the Chair for the Debate "Does Latin Have A Future," made the following video on Latin basics and in everyday life. In this video, she shows to some young students Latin's common place appearances in our language, literature, and even pop icons.

 

While there are many who despise Latin for its antiquated content and the blogger Donald Clark being one of them (refer to his 10 Reason Not To Learn Latin). I would say unto them that Latin is alive in everyday literature, culture, politics, grammar, et cetera.

 

 

Latin's Usefulness:

1. Learning Latin helps you learn other languages.
2. Latin is extremely precise in its cases, structure and reason which therefore allows students of Latin to have extremely skillful cognitive and logical skills.
3. Learning Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes will increase your vocabulary and understanding of other words.
4. Learning Latin will aid in reading Harry Potter Spells (Harry Potter Spells)
5. "A rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50%." quoted in Herald Scotland.
6. "It is a piece of our culture. One grasps the roots." quoted in Latin Returns From the Dead in German Schools.
7. Besides ancient Greek, it is the only language that we can read texts from more than 2,000 years ago on philosophy, politics, religion, science, culture, et cetera. It is part of the foundation of Western Civilization and should not be overlooked or forgotten. 

 

Further proof that Latin is not a dead language: Pope Francis or Franciscus has his own twitter account in which he tweets in Latin: Summi Pontificis Breviloquentis Twitter. The twitter account launched in January with a name based on Cicero's quote "Breviloquentem iam me tempus ipsum facit," – Time itself makes me now speak briefly

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He has over 114,000 followers and counting; while it is sanguine to assume that all 114,00 speak or understand Latin- it is highly unlikely. However, his tweets, which average no more than a sentence or two, may give rise to others taking an interest to Latin.

Beyond the cliché Latin incantations on television or even movies, Latin is in the roots of Western Civilizations not only grammatical, but the culture of the Romans can be seen as well. So, the next time you watch a movie, hear Latin, think of a fancy word, or even architecture- you may be looking at something that has evolved from 2,000 years of Latin making its way into our culture.

Here are some examples and food for thought:

                                                    E Pluribus Unum= One From the Many

 

e.g. = "exempli gratia" = "For Example"

i.e. = "id est" = "That is"

A.D. = "Anno Domini" = "The year of God"

 

Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C 1943

Pantheon in Rome 126 AD (Hadrian Rebuilt)