Joanna Zammit Falzon, general secretary, Malta Classics Association, University of Malta, Msida
The many benefits of learning Latin
With reference to Mario Azzopardi’s Talking Point (August 20), the Malta Classics Association, which is already delivering well-attended courses in Latin, Classical Greek and Sanskrit, offers its hearty congratulations to the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, to the Directorate for Lifelong Learning and to all others involved for including Latin in the list of languages being offered by the Directorate.
Latin is very often maligned as a language too complex to be grasped with any significant level of competence. This is a myth. Latin is easier than German and probably easier than English. Moreover, as study after study shows, the intellectual discipline it imparts is such that it sharpens the mental faculties, increases memory and enhances articulacy. Finally, the study of Latin puts at the disposal of the student the most important texts in the history of mankind. This worthy initiative reflects the international renaissance in the study of Latin and Greek that is taking place right now throughout the world. The Ministry’s laudable decision to offer Latin means that Malta now joins the ranks of the dozens of states throughout Europe, America, Asia and Africa which teach Latin and Greek at some level or other.
The Malta Classics Association is ready to offer pro bono all the support that it can to teachers and to the students of these marvellous languages. E-mail us on classicsmaltasoc@gmail.com.
Sincere thanks and congratulations to all involved in taking this timely and admirable decision.
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Joe Xuereb
Sep 2nd 2010, 11:52
Latin is useful for reading Catullus in the original and for following the Mass in Latin. To some a big deal. Latin's an exacting language. It's highly inflected, possibly like no other. Studying its grammar is like a mathematical exercise, disciplined. It familiarises its students with grammar and its function in any language. It takes a long time to learn. English may well be more difficult to learn, irrational spelling, conjugation of verbs simple to absurdity (unlike Latin, Matlese, etc.) Why not spend the time an equally complex language such as Russian, plus exotic alphabet. Or modern Greek. Limited usefulness of course but they serve the same purpose. Of course one wouldn't be able to follow Mass in Latin (still? I thought it was relegated). Or self-congratulatory smugness showing off to friends. Reading Gogol and deciphering tombstones of scribblings in ancient Greek cemetries is equally rewarding, solo or with friends. And one can keep abreast of one's newly-acquired resource, a new soul - with every language learnt, we acquire insight into its speakers' soul - through fresh reading matters published every day, not least on the internet. So, Latin yes! But it's snobbish 'usefulness' may be gleaned more profitably elsewhere.
paul azzopardi
Aug 31st 2010, 20:55
I have a flashback, some 35 years when we had to study Latin compulsory at the minor seminary at floriana. One day I wrote with chalk on the blackboard: "latin is a dead language, it killed the ancient Romans, and now is killing me". How sorry I feel today that I did not study the language, but as the saying is: you learn, surely you`ll learn.
Collen Isherwood
Aug 31st 2010, 11:55
One of the major reasons we were taught Latin at school many years ago, was it was to be considered a stepping stone to some of the major languages in Europe, and although a slouch when it comes to learning a foreign language ( everyone speaks English, especially if you shout at them - :) I must admit it did help me tremendously with French and Italian, as well as being able to participate in Holy Mass wherever in the world one might be at that time. Also I like to show off whenever a Latin script is found above a door, or an old church or wherever, ah school days don't we miss them??
N.Lawrence
Aug 31st 2010, 11:07
Latin may be easier to learn than German or English, but if you decide to visit either of these two countries, armed to the teeth with a fluency in Latin, who exactly are you going to talk to?
Alfred Grech
Aug 31st 2010, 10:15
I agree. Latin is a very beautiful language and is not as difficult as some claim to be. It's definitely easier to study than the classic Greek and perhaps the English if a person is not brought up amongst English speaking people.
I used to like the Mass in Latin and till today, I still follow certain prayers in Latin.