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Edward Peters

 

15 March 2007

 

    It is not so much an honor to know Latin, as it is a pity not to know it. Cicero

 

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T. Feeney, "Addictissimus: how to close a Latin letter" The Jurist 17 (1957) 342-345.

 

Benedic, Domine, nos, haec et tua dona, quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   It is not surprising, therefore, that a comprehensive dictionary has eluded us. Almost none of the modern dictionaries covers the whole alphabet, but for basic purposes it is possible to get by with a good dictionary of Classical Latin and a selective dictionary of Medieval Latin. R.  Sharpe, writing in Mantello & Riggs, Medieval Latin, at 93.

Catholic Issues Ecclesiastical Latin

SHMS Students, see:  On-Line Syllabus for SHMS Latin 121 & 122  or  On-Line Syllabus for SHMS Intensive Intermediate Latin

 

General

 

     Ecclesiastical Latin is that form of Latin that emerged from Classical Latin beginning about the 4th century A.D. Despite being gradually replaced by various vernacular tongues up through the 16th century, ecclesiastical Latin has been used continuously by the Catholic Church as its primary language to the present day. It is somewhat easier to learn than is Classical Latin because Ecclesiastical Latin more closely resembles modern vernacular usage patterns than does Classical Latin (for example, by its making greater use of prepositions). A working knowledge of Ecclesiastical Latin affords one direct access to nearly two millennia of accumulated Christian wisdom. The Church has repeatedly called on its priests (most recently, 1983 CIC 249) and others to acquire facility in Latin. She recommends that all of her members know at least their basic prayers in the ancient and common tongue of Christians.

St. Jerome

Patron of Latinists

 

Resources

 

            Dr. Peters has been helping children, young people, and adults learn Ecclesiastical Latin for many years. For a textbook he uses John Collins, A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin (Catholic University of America, 1985/1988/1990). Dr. Peters' approach emphasizes the early memorization of basic prayers, poems, and songs in order to assist students in applying Ecclesiastical Latin in their own lives, and later, providing them with a storehouse of familiar grammatical examples. (For a much larger selection of Latin prayers and resources than can be posted here, go to Thesaurus Precum Latinarum. Vide etiam FAMILIÆ SANCTI HIERONYMI.)

 

Prayers of the Rosary

Certain poems & songs

Gospel Canticles

Creed "Quicumque"

Latin Prepositions Chart

Latin Declensions

Nouns (Decl. IV & V)

 

      Thanks to the work of many generations of paleographers and textual critics we now have all the ancient texts in printed editions which are both easy to read and more correct than any of the surviving manuscripts. This is not, however, the case with texts from the Middle Ages, since there are many more of them [in fact, hundreds of thousands] and they have attracted much less interest from Latin specialists. Many of them, even ones that are well worth reading, have been published using only one manuscript that happened to be to hand, even though much better manuscripts may exist. Many more texts have not been published at all, but are waiting in libraries for someone to read them and prepare an edition. There is a limitless amount of valuable work waiting to be done by those who would like to devote themselves to Latin and the Middle Ages. Tore Janson, A Natural History of Latin (Oxford, 2004) at 122.

 

            In addition to Collins' primer, serious beginning students of Ecclesiastical Latin should consider acquiring the following books:

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Some more thoughts on Latin Resources (for English speakers):

 

Grammars, Ecclesiastical

  • John F. Collins, Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin, Catholic University of America Press, 1985, 1988 et seq.  The single best book for learning Latin as used by the Church from about the 4th century to the present day. Includes numerous liturgical and Scriptural examples. The original 1985 edition had some typographical errors which have been eliminated from later versions. An answer key is due out late 2006, from CUA Press.

  • Scanlon & Scanlon, Latin Grammar & Second Latin. A 2-volume set geared to philosophy, theology, and canon law. First appeared in 1948 and was widely used. This work was popular in religious circles before Vatican II, and aimed only at giving priests and, even more, nuns, an ability to read liturgical Latin. It is actually somewhat more sophisticated than that, and makes a good supplement for those working through Collins or Wheelock. But I do not think that it is a good stand-alone textbook for beginners, especially for those trying to learn Latin on their own. There are too few explanations offered and it really needs a teacher to explain things. In any event, try to find a used hard-back copy. The modern reprints I've seen are paperback, cheaply glued, and fall apart with minimal usage.

  • Vincent Huber, Latin for Sisters: A Practical Guide to Breviary-Latin, Tabernacle and Purgatory Press, 1919, 1931. Neither intended for nor capable of teaching Latin as a whole, this work instead focuses on points of grammar and syntax needed to get a decent idea of what the prayers of the Divine Office mean. For all its obvious limitations, there are a good number of very practical translation tips in here, and it’s well worth a read by those who already have a decent grasp of Church Latin.

  • Mary Perkins, Your Catholic Language: Latin from the Missal (1940). Using interlinear translations of Mass prayers, Perkins walks one through many (not all, despite her claim) of the important parts of ecclesiastical Latin grammar. Those points she discusses are quite clear and I find the book helpful as a set of self-guided exercises for those who can get fuller explanations elsewhere. (nb: I have seen used copies for sale on the Internet, astonishingly over-priced.)

  • Rhoda Hendricks, Latin Made Simple, Cadillac Pub., 1962. Part of a self-teaching mini-encyclopedia series, this book, while intended as an overview of classical Latin, is actually just as useful for learning ecclesiastical Latin, and so I list here. Makes an excellent supplement for a full grammar book.

  • O. Kuhnmuench, Liturgical Latin (Loyola Chicago, 1939). Little more than organized classroom readings; a few grammatical and vocabulary tips.

  • H. Nunn, An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin (Cambridge, 1922). The more I use this, the more I like it. Written by a classicist who did not want to waste words. A reference work, not a teaching text.

  • A. Blaise, A Handbook of Christian Latin: Style, Morphology, and Syntax [1955], Eng. trans from French G. Roti (Georgetown University, 1994). Another recent find, but look quite interesting.

Grammars, Classical

  • Frederick Wheelock, Latin: An Introductory Course Based on Ancient Authors, Barnes & Noble Outline, 1956 et seq. One of the two or three really great modern grammars for classical Latin, this one has the advantage of teaching declensions in the usual ecclesiastical order, and providing copiously footnoted sample readings. There is also available by Groton & May a short reader, Latin Stories, Bolchazy-Carducci, 1986, 1989, designed around Wheelock.

  • Allen & Greenough’s New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges, Ginn & Company, 1888, 1903. A gold mine of technical classical Latin grammar, but still quite useful for those whose needs lean toward ecclesiastical Latin.

  • J. Mountford, “Bradley’s Arnold” Latin Prose Composition, Longmans, Green & Co., revised 1938. Reworking of a famous textbook, the grammar is designed to facilitate Latin-to-English reading and English-to-Latin composition. Assumes that the student already has a solid grasp of declensions and conjugations.

  • Jenny’s First Year Latin, Allyn and Bacon, 1979 et seq. An engaging way for younger people to learn classical Latin, (lots of neat pictures, etc.). Nicely done (though I have not used it with kids.)

  • H. Oerberg, Lingua Latina, Nature Method Language Institutes, 1954, 1965. Several volumes, teaches Latin by actually reading it first (with the help of pictures and simple sentences) and then explaining, albeit briefly, the grammar. Interesting approach, but requires the assistance of a tutor.

  • C. Bennett, A Latin Grammar (Allyn & Bacon, 1895). The few times I have used it, it's been helpful.

Dictionaries (most "classical" but quite useful for ecclesiastical Latin)

  • Lewis & Short, A Latin Dictionary, Oxford University Press. Among one-volume, still-affordable, dictionaries, this one reigns supreme. Always called "Lewis & Short". Essential for advanced work.

  • Cassell’s New Latin Dictionary, Funk & Wagnalls. Excellent.

  • The New College Latin & English Dictionary, Bantam Books. Very useful.

  • Langenscheidt Pocket Latin Dictionary. From a German company famous for dictionaries, it’s small, rugged, and easy to use. Great for camping trips.

  • A Latin-English Dictionary of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul Editions. Nicely done, and large.

  • A. Souter, A Glossary of Later Latin to 600 AD (Oxford, 1949 on). Useful.

  • Latin Dictionary and Grammar Aid (University of Notre Dame).

  • Wilfrid Diamond, Dictionary of Liturgical Latin (Bruce, 1961). Why isn't this better known? It's quite nicely done.

Audio Learning Systems

  • S. Seidl, Cursus Linguae Latinae Vivae, Family of St. Jerome, text and audio tapes. Geared to ecclesiastical (emphasis on Scriptural) Latin, this series by a Vatican Latin master teaches Latin as the living language it is. Comes with printed support materials. Can be used a stand-alone, but is even better when fleshed out with a standard grammar book.

  • Educational Services, Language/30 Latin, 2 audio tapes with Latin phrases and a very little grammar. Ruthlessly classical in pronunciation (except for a few minutes), but interesting for a one-time listen.

Other

  • F. Mantello & A Rigg, Medieval Latin: An Introduction and Bibliographic Guide (Catholic University of America, 1996). An amazing resource that I only recently discovered. Not a grammar, lexicon, or reader. Instead, just about everything else!

  • R. Moore, Comparative Greek and Latin Syntax (Bell, 1934/1948; Bristol Classics, 2000). Even if you don't know Greek, this is a still very handy reference for Latin syntax. Highly-regarded (and might make you want to take the plunge into Greek, after all!)

  • J. Mantinband, Dictionary of Latin Literature (Philosophical Library, 1956). Not vocabulary, of course, but rather lists works, authors, etc. Surveys up to the Renaissance.