| Academics » Latin |
 Why Do We Study Latin?
Latin sharpens the mind: Latin is a structured and logical language. Understanding and using the grammar of a Latin sentence requires the same skills needed to solve complex math or logic problems.
Latin prepares students to easily learn other languages: Latin is not a dead language, it lives on in other languages. Latin gives the student a grip on about 80% of the vocabulary of the Romance languages - English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian.
Latin improves the quality and precision of a student's use of English: Many of our grammar rules are derived from Latin. Learning Latin roots enables students to decipher new words and use English vocabulary more precisely.
Latin words are the basis for much of the vocabulary of several professions: Medicine, Law, Science and Religion all draw heavily on Latin terms and roots.
Dorothy Sayers perhaps said it best:
"I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the Latin grammar. I say this not because Latin is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent."
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