Zack is a BHS grad who offered to let us publish his article, part of the Senior Capstone Project. Keep up the good work, Zack!
Why Latin? I've been asked this question many times; by my mother, my father, the Capstone committee, even my dog has given me quizzical looks. The answer to this question is that Latin has always fascinated me. And why shouldn't it? 60% of the English language is derived from Latin. I've also always loved learning other languages. I took French for five years and really enjoyed it. Thanks to the Capstone project, I finally had my chance to delve into this interesting language.
But where to begin? I mean, Latin isn't exactly a language that's widely spoken. Thus, began my adventure. My adventure ended two minutes later once I Googled "where to learn Latin". I found out about a textbook entitled Wheelocks's Latin. It had everything that you could need; lessons on Latin culture, language, and geography. It even had audio books that could be ordered, as well as, Latin to English glossary and on-line flash cards. I could hardly contain my almost tangible excitement as I ordered the textbook. When it arrived, I was very eager to begin my studies.
I opened the first chapter......and was immediately lost. It didn't occur to me that Latin would be very difficult to learn. The book spoke of diphthongs, and paradigms, and declensions. I was promptly confused. After reading the first chapter (and reading it a second and a third time), I finally started to understand. Still more difficult than French, I was steadily progressing through the book. Granted, I only got past chapter five, but still! I knew much more Latin than I ever did before.
Though Latin is considered a "dead" language, I still feel that it is a very important part of our language. Just from the hundred or so Latin words that I now know, I've been able to see many similarities between the English language and Latin.
In the textbook, Wheelock's Latin, next to each vocabulary word, it has examples of English words that stem from Latin.
The word nautical comes from nauta, meaning sailor, and the word culprit comes from culpare, meaning to blame. Through my research of Latin, I read that those who speak Latin are able to deduce the meaning of a multitude of English words and phrases. Naturally, this leads to an increase of verbal SAT scores.
When I took the SAT's there were so many words that I did not know. Now, through my short study of the language, I am confident that I too would be able to better understand and comprehend more advanced, complex words. So much stems from Latin.
I found an incredible amount of similarities between the Latin vocabulary and the French as well. That is why I picked French as one of the languages to incorporate into my visual. The other language, Italian, is included because of my Italian background.
I loved reading about how Latin has been changed and adapted into so many cultures and nations. Even the font that I chose to type this in is Latin: Eras Demi ITC, which means, "will be taken"! It is just so amazing how time has evolved Latin and turned it into modern English that is spoken throughout the world!