Question:
I have heard that learning 'Latin' will help improve ones English
grammar and widen ones vocabulary. Is this true? I can't see Latin being
that useful in this day in age, but I'm not an expert. How exactly will
learning Latin help to improve English grammar used today?
Excuse my ignorance, but I am not familiar with the history of English
grammar.
It's quite an intensive 30 hour course over 15 weeks. Would it be
beneficial if I enrolled in such a class? I'd only be doing it because I
have heard it improves grammar.
Course Description: (An introduction to the Latin language and technique
of translation into English, based on reading, from an early stage,
extracts from Latin literature. Using a course book designed for adults
it takes a grammatical approach, but prior knowledge of grammar is not
essential. The course also demonstrates the indebtedness of English to
Latin and will help to enlarge your vocabulary).
Or would I be better off taking a class in 'writing styles and skills'?
Course description: (Good writers are made, not born. Enhance your
written communication skills in this content-driven course on style!
This series of lectures, workshops and discussions begins with classes
on grammar, punctuation and self-editing. We will focus on refining your
ability to formulate appropriate modes of expression and methods of
delivery in a variety of contexts. You will also develop a personal
checklist of strengths and weaknesses to help you continue to both
manage and think creatively about your own writing process).
Or should I do both?
Answer:
Learning Latin grammar will make you much more aware of grammar in
general. Because Latin grammar is different from English grammar, it
won't help by teaching you English grammar. But it will help by
teaching you what grammar is all about. Actually, I think learning
the grammar of any foreign language will help you improve your
understanding of English grammar. But because English grammar has
been modeled to some extent on Latin grammar --- which means that a
lot of the terminology is the same --- Latin grammar will probably
help more than others.
Learning Latin will certainly help your command of English
vocabulary. So many English words have been borrowed from Latin. So
many others have been borrowed from Greek, so learning Greek would
also help to broaden your English vocabulary. Most of these words,
though, are scientific words, especially medical terms. But once you
learn these two languages, you can see the Latin and Greek roots
My advice would be to take the writing class and forget the Latin
course. You can get texts on Greek and Latin roots in English. I have
one on my computer. You shouldn't have any problem finding one or
three in your local university bookstore.
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