SCHOOL OF ANCIENT LANGUAGES AND LANGUAGE HISTORY

AN INTRODUCTION TO LATIN

Latin lies at the roots of Western civilisation. Even after the imperial era, it was adopted in medieval Europe as the language of education, culture and religion. Numerous learned words were borrowed from it by scholars into English. The vast array of literature that survives from Ancient Rome also gives us fascinating glimpses into a world long since lost. The course is intended for beginners but is also for people wishing to refresh their Latin.

Course Outline:

  • introduction to the Latin language and its relatives
  • presentation of the present tense and imperative of first and second conjugation verbs and of ‘sum’ (I am), first and second declension nouns and adjectives, adverbs and prepositions
  • translation of simple sentences and passages from Latin and into Latin. The passages are adapted from original texts by well-known authors
  • reading of extended texts, especially the comedies of Plautus
  • short presentations on aspects of Roman life and culture such as the Roman theatre, family religion, the Roman army etc
  • a look at the etymology of English words from Latin

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course learners will

  • be able to read short passages of simple Latin with confidence
  • understand the use of the noun and the present tense and imperative of the verb
  • have some knowledge of the cultural world of the Romans
  • understand the origins of numerous English words

Eight two hour classes. Please enquire regarding price.

THIS COURSE IS REGULARLY TAUGHT IN AUCKLAND.