September 13th, 2011

Welcome to CLAS 1105Introductory Latin

Language of the ancient Latins and Romans.

Spread to Europe together with the Roman Empire; foundation of “Romance” languages (i.e. French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian); Profound influence on the evolution of English.

Language of literacy and scholarship in Europe down to 16th century (emergence of vernacular literature, esp. Scripture).

Language of science and international diplomacy well into the 19th century.

Indo-European language (i.e. One of a group of related languages sharing a common parent language and so common syntax, structure, morphology etc.).

Indo-European languages include: Latin, Greek, Germanic (i.e. German, Dutch, Danish, English etc.), Slavonic (i.e. Russian, Polish, Ukrainian etc.), Gaelic (i.e. Irish, Welsh etc.), Persian (i.e. Pharsi), and Indic (i.e. Sanskrit et. al.).

The Latin Language:A General Background

Indo-European Migrations:ca. 4000-1000 BCE

MotherLatin = mater.Sanskrit = matar.Greek = meter.Anglo-Saxon = modor.Old Irish = mathir.

German = mütter.Russian = mat’.English = mother.

Latin = est.Sanskrit = asti.Greek = esti.Anglo-Saxon = is.Old Irish = is.

German = ist.Russian = jest’.English = is.

Related Morphology:cf. Wheelock, pp. xxviii-xxix

Is

Latin = an inflected language; English no longer inflected.

Inflected Language – the role of a word in a sentence is determined by the form of the word and NOT by word order.

English relies on word order to convey the role played by a word in a sentence.

Critical Distinctions between Latin and English

“The dog bites the boy.”Dog = subject.Bites = verb.Boy = object.The dog is the one who is biting the boy.

“The man bites the dog.”Boy = subject.Bites = verb.Dog = object.The boy is now the one who is doing the biting.

The Importance of Word Order in English

Role of a word in a sentence determined by its form (i.e. Its inflection).

“The dog bites (is biting) the boy.” Canis (dog) mordet puerum (boy). Puerum canis mordet. Puerum mordet canis.

“The boy bites (is biting) the dog.” Puer mordet canem. Canem puer mordet. Canem mordet puer.

Role of word in a sentence is determined by case ending for nouns, pronouns, adjectives, participles etc. (Nominative, Genitive, Accusative, Dative, Ablative, Vocative, Locative); Declensions.

Person (1st, 2nd, 3rd, singular or plural), Tense (present, imperfect, perfect, pluperfect, future, future perfect), Voice (active, passive), Mood (indicative, subjunctive, imperative) determined by form of the verb; Conjugation.

Change in word order results in change in emphasis, not change in meaning. Typical Latin word order places the main verb at the end of the sentence.

Latin Inflection

Noun = Person, place, or thing.Adjective = Word describing a noun.Pronoun = Word standing in place of a noun.Verb = Action word; can be active or passive.Adverb = Word describing the manner in which an action is

performed.Subject = the one performing the action of the main verb.Direct Object = the one receiving the action of the main verb.Indirect Object = the one with an interest in the action of the

sentence (i.e. For whose benefit, advantage, or disadvantage the action of a verb is performed).

Predicate = Word or phrase linked to the subject by the copulative verb “to be” (i.e. am, are, is etc.).

Some Basic Grammatical Terms Common to Latin and English Syntax.

The handsome poet gave roses to the pretty woman.

The cowardly soldier quickly abandoned his post to the enemy.

Julius Caesar was a remarkable Roman General.

Examples

Crucial for research for any period of European history, culture, literature, religion etc. pre-sixteenth century.

Deeper understanding of the nuances of Latin literature.

Improves your understanding of English.

Improves your understanding of other modern European languages.

Why Study Latin?

Frederic Wheelock, Wheelock's Latin. 6th Edition. Harper Resource ISBN: 0060783710

James May, Thirty-eight Latin Stories Ancilla to Wheelock's Latin: An Introductory Course Based on Latin Authors. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.ISBN: 0865162891

D.P. Simpson, Cassell's Latin and English Dictionary. John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 0020133405

Required Texts

In Class Test 1: 5% In Class Test 2: 5% In Class Test 3: 5% In Class Test 4: 5%Midterm Exam: 30%Final Exam: 40%Participation: 10%

Tests based on readings from James May, Thirty-eight Latin Stories Ancilla to Wheelock's Latin: An Introductory Course Based on Latin Authors.

Participation based on 1. attendance. 2. preparation of assigned exercises taken up in class.

Grade Distribution

Be familiar with the syllabus: http://www.nipissingu.ca/faculty/richardw/

Always prepare assignments to be taken up in class before class; make note of any difficulties, problems, and questions and bring them to class.

Put in the effort in the beginning to memorize declensions, conjugations etc.

DO A LITTLE EACH DAY. LANGUAGE BUILDS ON PREVIOUS LESSONS SO DON’T LEAVE ASSIGNMENTS UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT. USE IT OR LOSE IT.

Try to read a little Latin every day (i.e. 15 minutes).

Start studying early; bring questions/problems immediately.

Have fun – Don’t make it a chore – Make mistakes in class not on tests and exams.

H0w to Succeed in CLAS 1105