Latin

Question

Hello allIf i learn Learn Latin, would it be helpful in learning English?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Only when you are quite fluent in English.

Fivejedjon · Answer

If a learner who speaks a non-Indo-European language happens to have a knowledge of Latin (or German, French, or any other Indo-European language, especially a Germanic or Romance one) then it will make learning English easier. However, I see no point at all in learning another language deliberately before attempting English.

Avidlearner · Answer

Sir, it means being a non-native, Should I dropped the idea? Actually i have read in a book that Latin gives a great command over English.

Avidlearner · Answer

Mister MicawberOnly when you are quite fluent in English.

I can communicate in English and I use English sentence structures without thinking of grammar (I some cases I think). Am I fluent?

Fivejedjon · Answer

AvidlearnerShould I dropped the idea?

I have already said that I see no point in it.

AvidlearnerActually i I have read in a book that Latin gives a great command over English.

Well, that was an idea that persisted well into the 20th century, I have never seen any convincing proof of the claim.

Avidlearner · Answer

Thanks a lot for you kind advice.

Cool Breeze · Answer

When I majored in English Philology at Helsinki University, we were required to take courses and exams in Latin. I had studied Latin for three years at school, by the way. Even though Latin isn't a Germanic language, about 60 percent of English words derive from Latin, either directly or through French. Knowing the rudiments of Latin isn't a prerequisite for having an excellent command of English but it helps one to grasp the meanings of many English words. In a way, Latin takes one into the very core of English.

For example, transfer is made up of two Latin words: trans (= through) and ferre (= to carry). Ferre is the infinitive of a verb whose basic forms are fero, tuli, latum, ferre. In Latin, the infinitive is the last form. As it obvious even to a layman, this verb is irregular.

Translate derives from the same Latin words. One "carries" something from one language to another when one translates. This time the second part, late, is derived from the Latin participle latum (= carried).

Students of English Philology were required to have a basic knowledge of French as well. This was because French exerted an influence on English for about 300 years after the Battle of Hastings (1066 AD). Even English kings spoke French and English was spoken for the first time in Parliament in the year 1362. (The word parliament is derived from French!)

Again, one need not know French to speak good English but it does increase one's perception of the intrinsic qualities of English. I think Simeon Potter's opinion is an exaggeration, though. He says in his book Our Language: "What do they know of English who only English know!"

CB

Avidlearner · Answer

Thank you so much for this valuable information.

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