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Why Study Latin?

1. Improve your vocabulary!

Approximately 67% of all English words have their origin in the Latin language.

The English language even contains a large number of actual Latin words which have not changed (in meaning or spelling) since the time of the Romans. There are at least 333 of these words!  Here is a sampling:

superior   census interim dictum   
inferior actor   animal  error         
exterior     fungus   genus hiatus     
honor    minus      minimum orator           
par     plus      senior terminus      
victor     dictator gladiator insomnia  
rumor      alibi maximum  simulacrum

2. Travel through time!

Meet gladiators and soldiers, poets and lovers, emperors and slaves.  Find out what it was like to have lived over 2,000 years ago!

3. Learn more about your own history!

So many aspects of our lives today can be traced back to the ancient Romans:  government, laws, architecture, and art just to name some!  Understand today's world by studying yesterday's.  After all, isn't it said that "history repeats itself"?

4. Latin is a great start to other languages!

Up to 80% of all words in in French, Spanish, Italian, & Portuguese (the ROMANce languages) come from Latin.

5.  Learn more about your own language!

With Latin, you will learn how languages work.  You may even learn things about your own language in Latin class before you learn them in English class.

6. Jobs!    (Just to name a few!)

TEACHING:  There is almost always a shortage of certified Latin teachers.

LAW:  Much of our legal system has its roots in ancient Rome.    Legal vocabulary is steeped in Latin.  Such  terms as habeas corpus, nolo contendere, prima facie, corpus delicti and amicus curiae are a part of the everyday Latin vocabulary of practicing lawyers. 

MEDICINE:  Did you know that the Language of medicine for over a thousand years was Latin?  What an advantage a pre-med student or nursing student who has studied Latin has over those who have not!

PHARMACY:  The pharmacist deals with Latin terms and phrases on a daily basis. 

JOURNALISM:  The ability to communicate with an extensive vocabulary and a firm command of grammar is essential for success in the field of journalism.  Study in Latin significantly improves these all-important skills.

ARCHAEOLOGY:  For those who would like to work in the fascinating field of archaeology and specialize in Greece or Rome, a reading knowledge of Latin is a must!

LINGUISTICS:  Linguistics is the study of how language works.   Since Latin has influenced so many other languages, it's importance is clear for this field as well.

ANCIENT HISTORY:  If you are serious about history you will want to use primary sources (i.e. those written in Latin).

ART, LITERATURE, DRAMA:  In literature, music, painting, sculpture and drama there are countless references to the worlds of ancient Greece and Rome.  The student equipped with the study of Latin will most likely understand these historical and mythological illusions.

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