Latin

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 04:22 PM

Any Latin teachers on the board? Or people who have taught themselves Latin? Or HS or college students who took Latin?

I'm trying to figure out how difficult it would be to learn Latin. Get a head start on getting my PhD in Ancient History...

vtbub · 12-01-2005, 04:25 PM

yo, two years in high school

VPI97 · 12-01-2005, 04:28 PM

I took two years of Latin and found it easier to learn than Spanish. That was 15 years ago, though.

DeToxRox · 12-01-2005, 04:31 PM

I saved Latin. What'd you ever do?

ThunderingHERD · 12-01-2005, 04:33 PM

I tried to get latin cancelled for years. "It's a dead language," I'd always say.

Klinglerware · 12-01-2005, 04:33 PM

Took 3 years in high school.

Learning any foreign language is a challenge, but I would think that Latin is definately doable, especially if you have studied other Romance languages...

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 04:34 PM

i've taken spanish. vocabulary was never my problem, conjugating verbs was always the worst of it. i think latin is probably doable, Ancient Greek is what REALLY has me worried.

vtbub · 12-01-2005, 04:35 PM

If you did well in Spanish, then Latin will bge a piece of cake. I loved Latin.

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtbub

If you did well in Spanish, then Latin will bge a piece of cake. I loved Latin.

well there's the rub. i never actually did all that well in spanish, although my vocabulary knowledge is still strong 6 years after i last took it.

i'm thinking these phd programs would mostly be geared to reading comprehension anyway

vtbub · 12-01-2005, 04:40 PM

It will make Spanish make sense, if that makes any sense.

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 04:41 PM

yep. that makes perfect sense vtbub. i sorta figured that latin would be the easier of the two to learn, and it's also much more accessible.

Icy · 12-01-2005, 04:43 PM

It was easy for me but i'm Spanish and my language comes from it so it helps a lot. We study Latin in Spain in high school to improve our own language.

JeeberD · 12-01-2005, 04:43 PM

Big Daddy?

GoldenEagle · 12-01-2005, 04:44 PM

I am a Latin ace.

wishbone · 12-01-2005, 04:46 PM

I took half a year in high school and hated the teacher, the language itself wasn't so bad though.

st.cronin · 12-01-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i've taken spanish. vocabulary was never my problem, conjugating verbs was always the worst of it. i think latin is probably doable, Ancient Greek is what REALLY has me worried.

Ancient Greek is hard. I'm taking it right now.

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Ancient Greek is hard. I'm taking it right now.

the alphabet is all different too right?

st.cronin · 12-01-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

the alphabet is all different too right?

The alphabet isn't the hard part - it's actually quite simple.

What makes the language hard is that they use verbs in a different way than we're used to. Not radically different, but different enough that the style of the Greek writers is really tough to get used to.

st.cronin · 12-01-2005, 05:20 PM

dola

For self-teaching there is a series called 'teach yourself' that has a very solid Ancient Greek book. They may have a latin version as well; there's all sorts of online resources as well.

DaddyTorgo · 12-01-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

dola

For self-teaching there is a series called 'teach yourself' that has a very solid Ancient Greek book. They may have a latin version as well; there's all sorts of online resources as well.

sweet. i didn't figure there was much of a "teach yourself" for ancient greek Cronin. good to hear that they do, i'm sure they have a latin as well, any reviews on it would be appreciated, or any competing products that may be better.

i'm just now confronting the ugly truth that i'll likely have to learn these.

st.cronin · 12-01-2005, 05:50 PM

www.tyancientgreek.org

st.cronin · 12-01-2005, 05:50 PM

http://www.tylatin.org/

sterlingice · 12-01-2005, 08:11 PM

Hate to bring this up, but I'd imagine the way Ancient Greek works is similar to how Latin (and Russian among others) works. Gramatically, everything is done with endings rather than word order. For example, have a verb:
http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/cache/9.video.html

Nouns are similar in that word order is not at all important but endings are everything. If it has one ending, it's the subject, if it has another, it's direct object, etc. You have to have a decent grasp on grammar but it's not brutal.

If you don't understand English grammar (ie don't know what an indirect object is or struggle with something like noun/verb agreement), then you're in trouble. But that's true of any foreign language.

SI

st.cronin · 12-02-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Hate to bring this up, but I'd imagine the way Ancient Greek works is similar to how Latin (and Russian among others) works. Gramatically, everything is done with endings rather than word order. For example, have a verb:
http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/cache/9.video.html

Nouns are similar in that word order is not at all important but endings are everything. If it has one ending, it's the subject, if it has another, it's direct object, etc. You have to have a decent grasp on grammar but it's not brutal.

If you don't understand English grammar (ie don't know what an indirect object is or struggle with something like noun/verb agreement), then you're in trouble. But that's true of any foreign language.

SI

Ancient Greek is, in my view, not at all similiar to Latin, English, Spanish, or any other language I've learned in terms of grammar. What you say is true but only scratches the surface - in terms of nuts and bolts, it's a simple language, but in terms of style and comprehension, it takes *much* more thought and effort than Latin or Spanish.

Schmidty · 12-02-2005, 02:22 AM

I took two years of Latin in HS. I liked it, but we studied as much Roman history as we studied the language.

Young Drachma · 12-02-2005, 10:08 AM

Yeah, I took a semester in college. I found it pretty handy, though you still get idiots who say it's useless. Latin is a good time.

GrantDawg · 12-02-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

i've taken spanish. vocabulary was never my problem, conjugating verbs was always the worst of it. i think latin is probably doable, Ancient Greek is what REALLY has me worried.

Taken both, and neither is really harder than the other. It isn't that bad.

GrantDawg · 12-02-2005, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Ancient Greek is, in my view, not at all similiar to Latin, English, Spanish, or any other language I've learned in terms of grammar. What you say is true but only scratches the surface - in terms of nuts and bolts, it's a simple language, but in terms of style and comprehension, it takes *much* more thought and effort than Latin or Spanish.

Eh. I actually found Greek just about as hard as Latin. As someone else said, if you know your English grammar pretty well, then it is all about learning endings. Memorization and then constant practice is all it really comes down to. Now Hebrew (no vowels, just breathing symbols) would be hard.

GrantDawg · 12-02-2005, 10:18 AM

And yes, I can mis-spell in three languages.

Honolulu_Blue · 12-02-2005, 10:35 AM

I took two years of Latin in college. I really quite enjoyed it. The last semester we basically read the Aeneid in the original latin, cover to cover. Good times.

My last Latin class, however, was back in 1994. That was a long, long time ago. I think I remember all of like two sentences.

DanGarion · 12-02-2005, 11:14 AM

I'm more a fan of Latin women then the language.

st.cronin · 12-02-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangarion

I'm more a fan of Latin women then the language.

hear, hear

Suburban Rhythm · 12-02-2005, 12:06 PM

3 years of Latin in HS...but that was over 10 years ago. I can remember bits and pieces, but really, since it is never used, there is no reason to remember it.

I would say it would not be all that difficult to try and pick up...I imagine it might work in reverse as it did for most people in HS. It helped a great deal, for example, on the SATs etc, verbal section, where alot of words you didn't recognize were Latin-based, and, if you somehow remembered the Latin words/meanings, you could make an educated guess. Having taken Spanish and, I'm guessing, an OK grasp of English, you might be able to sort of work in reverse to have a grasp of meanings of the Latin words.

Raven · 12-02-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VPI97

I took two years of Latin and found it easier to learn than Spanish. That was 15 years ago, though.

Yeah it may be harder to learn now. I hear the language has really changed a lot in the past 15 years.

Bonegavel · 12-02-2005, 10:05 PM

Citius, altius, coitus interruptis

12-01-2005, 04:25 PM	#2
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	yo, two years in high school __________________

12-01-2005, 04:28 PM	#3
VPI97 Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Kennesaw, GA	I took two years of Latin and found it easier to learn than Spanish. That was 15 years ago, though. __________________ CT & Jivin - "Surprisingly Entertaining"

12-01-2005, 04:33 PM	#5
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	I tried to get latin cancelled for years. "It's a dead language," I'd always say. __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

12-01-2005, 04:35 PM	#8
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	If you did well in Spanish, then Latin will bge a piece of cake. I loved Latin. __________________

12-01-2005, 04:40 PM	#10
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	It will make Spanish make sense, if that makes any sense. __________________

12-01-2005, 04:31 PM	#4
DeToxRox Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan	I saved Latin. What'd you ever do?

12-01-2005, 04:33 PM	#6
Klinglerware College Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The DMV	Took 3 years in high school. Learning any foreign language is a challenge, but I would think that Latin is definately doable, especially if you have studied other Romance languages...

12-01-2005, 04:34 PM	#7
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	i've taken spanish. vocabulary was never my problem, conjugating verbs was always the worst of it. i think latin is probably doable, Ancient Greek is what REALLY has me worried.

12-01-2005, 04:41 PM	#11
DaddyTorgo Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Massachusetts	yep. that makes perfect sense vtbub. i sorta figured that latin would be the easier of the two to learn, and it's also much more accessible.

12-01-2005, 04:43 PM	#12
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	It was easy for me but i'm Spanish and my language comes from it so it helps a lot. We study Latin in Spain in high school to improve our own language.

12-01-2005, 04:43 PM	#13
JeeberD General Manager Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Town of Flower Mound	Big Daddy? __________________ UTEP Miners!!! I solemnly swear to never cheer for TO

12-01-2005, 04:44 PM	#14
GoldenEagle Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Little Rock, AR	I am a Latin ace. __________________ Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: GoldenEagle014

12-01-2005, 04:46 PM	#15
wishbone High School JV Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hillsboro OR	I took half a year in high school and hated the teacher, the language itself wasn't so bad though.

12-01-2005, 05:20 PM	#19
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	dola For self-teaching there is a series called 'teach yourself' that has a very solid Ancient Greek book. They may have a latin version as well; there's all sorts of online resources as well.

12-01-2005, 05:50 PM	#21
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	www.tyancientgreek.org

12-01-2005, 08:11 PM	#23
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Hate to bring this up, but I'd imagine the way Ancient Greek works is similar to how Latin (and Russian among others) works. Gramatically, everything is done with endings rather than word order. For example, have a verb: http://www.verbix.com/webverbix/cache/9.video.html Nouns are similar in that word order is not at all important but endings are everything. If it has one ending, it's the subject, if it has another, it's direct object, etc. You have to have a decent grasp on grammar but it's not brutal. If you don't understand English grammar (ie don't know what an indirect object is or struggle with something like noun/verb agreement), then you're in trouble. But that's true of any foreign language. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

12-02-2005, 02:22 AM	#25
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	I took two years of Latin in HS. I liked it, but we studied as much Roman history as we studied the language. __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

12-02-2005, 10:08 AM	#26
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Yeah, I took a semester in college. I found it pretty handy, though you still get idiots who say it's useless. Latin is a good time. __________________ FBCB / FPB3 Mods

12-02-2005, 10:18 AM	#29
GrantDawg World Champion Mis-speller Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Covington, Ga.	And yes, I can mis-spell in three languages.

12-02-2005, 10:35 AM	#30
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	I took two years of Latin in college. I really quite enjoyed it. The last semester we basically read the Aeneid in the original latin, cover to cover. Good times. My last Latin class, however, was back in 1994. That was a long, long time ago. I think I remember all of like two sentences. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

12-02-2005, 11:14 AM	#31
DanGarion Coordinator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwest	I'm more a fan of Latin women then the language. __________________ Los Angeles Dodgers Check out the FOFC Groups on Facebook! and Reddit! DON'T REPORT ME BRO!

12-02-2005, 12:06 PM	#33
Suburban Rhythm Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pittsburgh	3 years of Latin in HS...but that was over 10 years ago. I can remember bits and pieces, but really, since it is never used, there is no reason to remember it. I would say it would not be all that difficult to try and pick up...I imagine it might work in reverse as it did for most people in HS. It helped a great deal, for example, on the SATs etc, verbal section, where alot of words you didn't recognize were Latin-based, and, if you somehow remembered the Latin words/meanings, you could make an educated guess. Having taken Spanish and, I'm guessing, an OK grasp of English, you might be able to sort of work in reverse to have a grasp of meanings of the Latin words.

12-02-2005, 10:05 PM	#35
Bonegavel Awaiting Further Instructions... Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Macungie, PA	Citius, altius, coitus interruptis __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)