Why would you study LATIN?

<p>Such an obscure and obsolete language...yet numerous CCers take it. WHY? Whos going to speak LATIN (unless you go to VATICAN CITY)?</p>

<p>LMAO Iwantfood. You do have a point. I took it in freshmanyear. =] It helped me with my vocabulary. =] Also it's fun to speak the immortal language. ^____^ It's easier than French and Spanish. =]</p>

<p>I agree with you. Many of them argue that it helps you learn english and other romance languages, but any romance languages helps with that. In fact, the romans never much influenced the english language after around 150 AD, it was the french during the norman conquest, so I fail to see how Latin would be more beneficial than french. I personally take spanish, and I find that spanish roots help with english vocabulary as well, so as I stated earlier, learning a language that is still in use is as beneficial as learning latin, and it is also more useful.</p>

<p>I find Spanish and French are much harder than Latin. =[ English language came from Germanian language right? Not the french. ><;;;; Nevermind. =] I'm just saying it's easier. ^_^</p>

<p>English is considered a germanic language, but it is made up of about 55% germanic roots and 45% latin/french roots</p>

<p>x] Some other languages too. =P</p>

<p>If you know latin you can understand some other languages, too. If you are planning on being a doctor or a lawyer, taking latin is definately not a bad idea.</p>

<p>=] Ha ha that is true btw. =]</p>

<p>yeah, I never really considered that aspect of it...although you would learn those terms in med/law school anyway, already knowing many of them and pronunciation etc would make it much easier.</p>

<p>I took Latin for a year because I was required to, then took AP Art Studio so I could drop my Latin requirement.</p>

<p>Latin helps you learn other romance languages in that it is completely structured, allowing you to know the basis for the structures of other languages. But that's about it.</p>

<p>It's also a good way to look smarter than you are. "Oh that word comes from the Latin '...' which originally meant...</p>

<p>And if you like Harry Potter, you can see where Rowling got a ton of spells.</p>

<p>Other than that, Latin was a boring waste of time.</p>

<p>=] I wanna take Japanese language. x] Why can't they have that at my school? [pouts] ><</p>

<p>If you're going to learn a north asian language and you in America, you should learn Viet or Chinese.</p>

<p>I got into Latin because I had no interest in German, French, or Spanish.</p>

<p>Now I like it because it looks and sounds clean, very cut and dry. I also like that I'm reading Catullus and Ovid in year 3 while the other languages are still reading textbooks. I like that there's a stronger emphasis on history and culture than in the other language classes.</p>

<p>It helped my vocabulary and grammar. It's supposed to make learning Romance languages much easier--like Latin with a funny accent, almost.</p>

<p>Taking Latin is a great way to be able to read ancient texts in their original languages. I love Latin. Reading Catullus and Vergil is beautiful. My Latin teacher was also wonderful, that made Latin so much better than any of the other languages offered at my school.</p>

<p>iwantfood, thank you. I don't get the latin-craze either... I mean, why learn a language you can only take to the cemetery? </p>

<p>But yeah, it's really popular where I am. Everyone is always saying how it helps with the SAT. But still - why not learn a language (like french, spanish, or german) that a lot of people speak in different parts of the world? </p>

<p>Perhaps I need to be enlightened...</p>

<p>Exactly. If you want to learn French then TAKE FRENCH lol</p>

<p>Certain professions such as medical proofessions use latin terms</p>

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<p>There is a much stronger emphasis in Latin on history and culture because there is no present. Latin lives in the past.</p>

<p>i have to say, i picked latin over greek in my choice for a required classical language SOLELY because of Harry Potter</p>

<p>I took Latin because the teacher at our school makes the culture and language come to life. It also helps alot with vocab..I never thought that I could look at a word and find pieces of the latin language stuck in between it. Also Latin I large part of life at my school. We've won state and area like 4 years in a row now. I find there is alot of opportunity doing latin..such as being nationally recognized by taking the National Latin Exam, which now turning into actually an international competition since other countries' students are taking it. Also JCL competitions can get you recognized. People refer to us as a cult..our induction is kickass creepy. The lights are dark..we have poetry..acting..candles..ya big thing at our school. I'm also planning to become a doctor..and alot of med terms are derived from latin..and abbreviations. I compete in grammar, but there is so much more you learn when studying latin other than the language..you learn about the people, culture, mythology, geography, and history. Taking latin is definitely applicable to many aspects of your life and a wonderful experience!!</p>