While it is true that it is no longer necessary to know Latin in order to read the literature of classical antiquity – English translations abound – the study of classical language continues to be a sine qua non of classical education. First, Latin reinforces universal language skills. It deepens our understanding of our own language, its grammatical structures, and its vocabulary, and prepares one better to learn other languages. In fact, English grammar attributes almost sixty percent of its vocabulary to Latin. The exactness of syntactical structure of Latin also helps form the logical habits of the mind, and its clarity forms the habits of fluency and eloquence in expression. Furthermore, Latin requires an attention to detail and the kind of discipline and precision that benefits the student in other areas of study, not to mention Latin’s significance in shaping the history of the West long after the Fall of Rome through its role in Western Christendom as the living language of the church, its Scriptures, theology, liturgy, hymns, poetry, and prayers. A recent article issued by Memoria Press shares these sentiments and more. Read on to learn more.
Top 10 Reasons for Studying Latin
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