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not a requirement for 95% of  schools or occupations, and it is so obscure and removed from society; it is considered outdated and antediluvian.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.

Elysium: Sci-Fi and Greeks

Elysium seems to be a heavenly (literally in space) oasis that does not allow any war, poverty, or sickness. It is in its essence a dystopia film, but the elements of Greek mythology make is relevant to this blog.

In Homer’s Odyssey, Elysium is described as a paradise:

to the Elysian plain…where life is easiest for men. No snow is there, nor heavy storm, nor ever rain, but ever does Ocean send up blasts of the shrill-blowing West Wind that they may give cooling to men.

— Homer, Odyssey (4.560-565)^[11]

According to Eustathius of Thessalonica^[12] the word "Elysium" (Ἠλύσιον) derives from ἀλυουσας (ἀλύω, to be deeply stirred from joy^[13]) or from ἀλύτως, synonymous of ἀφθάρτως (ἄφθαρτος, incorruptible^[14]), referring to souls' life in this place. Another suggestion is from ελυθ-, ἔρχομαι (to come).^[15]
The Greek oral poet Hesiod refers to the Isles of the Blessed in his didactic poem Works and Days. In his book Greek Religion, Walter Burkert notes the connection with the motif of far-off Dilmun: "Thus Achilles is transported to the White Isle, which may refer to Mount Teide on Tenerife, whose volcano is often snowcapped and as the island was sometimes called the white isle by explorers, and becomes the Ruler of the Black Sea, and Diomedes becomes the divine lord of an Adriatic island".^[10]

And they live untouched by sorrow in the islands of the blessed along the shore of deep-swirling Ocean, happy heroes for whom the grain-giving earth bears honey-sweet fruit flourishing thrice a year, far from the deathless gods, and Cronos rules over them

— Hesiod,Works and Days (170)^[9]

Pindar's Odes describes the reward waiting for those living a righteous life:

the good receive a life free from toil, not scraping with the strength of their arms the earth, nor the water of the sea, for the sake of a poor sustenance. But in the presence of the honored gods, those who gladly kept their oaths enjoy a life without tears, while the others undergo a toil that is unbearable to look at. Those who have persevered three times, on either side, to keep their souls free from all wrongdoing, follow Zeus' road to the end, to the tower of Cronus, where ocean breezes blow around the island of the blessed, and flowers of gold are blazing, some from splendid trees on land, while water nurtures others. With these wreaths and garlands of flowers they entwine their hands according to the righteous counsels of Rhadamanthys, whom the great father, the husband of Rhea whose throne is above all others, keeps close beside him as his partner

— Pindar, Odes (2.59-75)^[16]

In Virgil's Aeneid, Aeneas, like Heracles and Odysseus before him, travels to the underworld. Virgil describes those who will travel to Elysium, and those who will travel to Tartarus:

Night speeds by, And we, Aeneas, lose it in lamenting. Here comes the place where cleaves our way in twain. Thy road, the right, toward Pluto's dwelling goes, And leads us to Elysium. But the left Speeds sinful souls to doom, and is their path To Tartarus th' accurst.

— Virgil, Aeneid (6.535)^[17]

Virgil goes on to describe an encounter in Elysium between Aeneas and his father Anchises. Virgil's Elysium knows perpetual spring and shady groves, with its own sun and lit by its own stars: solemque suum, sua sidera norunt.

In no fix'd place the happy souls reside. In groves we live, and lie on mossy beds, By crystal streams, that murmur thro' the meads: But pass yon easy hill, and thence descend; The path conducts you to your journey's end.” This said, he led them up the mountain's brow, And shews them all the shining fields below. They wind the hill, and thro' the blissful meadows go.

— Virgil, Aeneid (6.641)^[18]

    

The second thing I would like to touch on is the moment at 37 seconds-The device the girl steps into seems to cure her of all her cancer/ailments has the emblem of Medusa head. It is an interesting choice- reminiscent of Athena's aegis and warding away evil?