At my school, Latin is offered as a course for junior high and senior
high students. Although Latin has improved my vocabulary and
understanding of English grammar, in addition to augmenting my
knowledge of Roman history, it will obviously never be as useful in
everyday conversation as a living language could be. So, should
schools offer Latin as a course?
I don't think every school should offer latin, but a nationwide (or state-wide) school program should, in my opinion, make it an available (even preferable) option to students.
It is an ideal basis for those who later on want to study one or more Roman languages (French/Italian/Spanish/...), and for many academical endeavors, a basic knowledge of Latin can be a huge benefit.
Other than that, teaching Latin has some huge educational advantages, (which is the main reason why it is still part of many education programs). The study of latin; helps you come to terms with the different mechanics many languages have in common, and will certainly facilitate the learning of additional languages. Other than that; since it is a dead language, it cannot be learned by acquaintance, and has to be learned 1. by heart 2. by consciencious practice. This makes the study of Latin an excellent discipline-enabler. Its study teaches children also the discipline much needed in courses that are undisputably part of the education program.
Ofcourse any other dead language could also achieve this educational progress, but the importance of latin in the history of the Anglo-Saxon and European culture make it a clear-cut favorite.
Originally posted by wittywonkaI like this question actually.
At my school, Latin is offered as a course for junior high and senior
high students. Although Latin has improved my vocabulary and
understanding of English grammar, in addition to augmenting my
knowledge of Roman history, it will obviously never be as useful in
everyday conversation as a living language could be. So, should
schools offer Latin as a course?
However, the same could be said for many subjects. History, for example. Most people aren't going to be professional historians, and most have no day to day need for a knowledge of fascist Italy during World War II - so, should we scrap history as a subject? Perhaps calculus should be relegated to the scrap heap too - only a tiny minority will ever use it. Geography too, how many people really need an in depth analysis of the problems faced by the city council of Lagos, Nigeria?
Of course, calculus helps teach us logic, and geography helps us understand politics and human demographics. Latin, whilst perhaps a "dead" language, helps us understand the construction and development of the English language. I didn't study Latin at school, although in hindsight, I probably should have...
in my oppinion, latin is useless. it has no point save for lingvists who study the origin of latin languages. it is a waste of time to learn something that you won't ever use just so you can show off at some party. instead of learning latin, one should learn spanish or french. or chinese or japanese. or cooking or any other thing that actually has a use
This is looking like a decent debate...and I'm probably somewhere inbetween. I think Trokair said it well saying that Latin teaches grammar and word roots to many other languages in addition to English...but if given a choice, I would still hesitate on whether to take Latin or Spanish/French (etc.) because of the more social uses of living languages. Interesting...
Originally posted by wittywonkaHey Latin has been great for me my MIDDLE school offered it as a language, I took it but it was extremely boring but I don't regret taking it because all the other languages I've learned were easy when I used the skills I learned while taking Latin.
At my school, Latin is offered as a course for junior high and senior
high students. Although Latin has improved my vocabulary and
understanding of English grammar, in addition to augmenting my
knowledge of Roman history, it will obviously never be as useful in
everyday conversation as a living language could be. So, should
schools offer Latin as a course?
It is now just a lost art....😞
Originally posted by ZahlanziAs I point out, for most people, so is calculus. Should we scrap it too?
in my oppinion, latin is useless. it has no point save for lingvists who study the origin of latin languages. it is a waste of time to learn something that you won't ever use just so you can show off at some party. instead of learning latin, one should learn spanish or french. or chinese or japanese. or cooking or any other thing that actually has a use
Originally posted by zeeblebotI think you are getting to the idea of studying the roots of western languages and why not go to the horses mouth so to speak. It might be a good idea, probably neccessary if you plan to be a linguist but it would be overkill for the average joe. Latin would be deep enough into that idea I would think. For one thing, Latin at least has closer ties to our alphabet than sansckit, so would be easier to learn I would think. But as for usefulness, maybe jumping into french or spanish would be more practical use. Maybe take latin AND french.
why not sanskrit?
So what I am gathering is that since you can't use a subject on a daily basis, it is pointless to take. That is completely and utterly rediculous to think that way. Basically, we should also get rid of the sciences since they really aren't practical. Who cares what the endoplasmic reticulum is or that Argon is a noble (inert) gas or energy is concerned? Forget history, as someone pointed out. Art and music are completely useless. No one need to let their creativity show. As far as math goes, all you need to know is how to use a calculator. Your parents can teach you that. There is no need for English class (in America) since children who are of school age can talk and write (some). There is no advantage to knowing the differences between a noun, adverb, or adjective clause (how many of you actually know the differences without looking it up because I do). Your parents can also teach you that. As for shop and home ec, your parents again can teach you that.
So what we come down to is that we don't need school since your parents can teach you all the skills you need to get through life. There was a time that this was the case: back in the 1900's.
You can never know too much. If you don't want to take the class, don't take it (adverb clause). However, it is your lose, which is none of my concern, when you don't take a class that will advance your knowledge (adjective and adverb clauses). That you don't take a class because you find it worthless makes it easier for me to out compete you in the job market. The previous sentence has an adverb clause in a noun clause, how many of you spotted that and I am merely a humble planner.
I'll get off my soap box now.
Originally posted by wittywonkaANY serious, new knowledge is good for your head. Hell, after
At my school, Latin is offered as a course for junior high and senior
high students. Although Latin has improved my vocabulary and
understanding of English grammar, in addition to augmenting my
knowledge of Roman history, it will obviously never be as useful in
everyday conversation as a living language could be. So, should
schools offer Latin as a course?
mastering Latin you SHOULD go an learn Esperanto very well.
It's exercise for your brain and makes you a cultivated person,
which is NEVER a waste in this world.
Plus, if you become a lawyers, for example, you will be able to
be a damn fine one thanks to knowledge of Latin.
Originally posted by scottishinnzcalculus and math in general is not really useless. for one thing it develops a logical approach to problems. and that is about all the uses it has.
As I point out, for most people, so is calculus. Should we scrap it too?
of course there are people who can use calculus. mathematicians, physicists, even economists i think, etc. i am a computer programmer and i always hated math and found it useless. but just now i had to deal with some fourier transforms and calculus would have helped me better understand it.
Originally posted by sonhousesure study the roots of western languages. bot not for the plebes. people shouldn't be thought latin until they reach college where they make a conscious choice about the profession they are after. if that profession has uses for latin, ok. but me as a computer programmer would have been pissed if i had to learn latin from the 6th grade to the 12th. (incidentaly i had a taste of latin only in the 8th grade(too much even one year) and all i remember is "Aqvila non capit muscam"😉
I think you are getting to the idea of studying the roots of western languages and why not go to the horses mouth so to speak. It might be a good idea, probably neccessary if you plan to be a linguist but it would be overkill for the average joe. Latin would be deep enough into that idea I would think. For one thing, Latin at least has closer ties to our al ...[text shortened]... , maybe jumping into french or spanish would be more practical use. Maybe take latin AND french.