Latin explanation

[desertflower]

Hello!

 

How would you explain to a 7 and 5 1/2 yo why we are studying Latin, a dead language?  My 7 yo loves to say general phrases in different languages to other kids. He seemed pretty bummed that I told him people don't speak Latin and to not expect a reply. 

 

Thanks for any input!

[maize]

Many English words come from Latin, you could tell him that studying Latin will help him understand Englsh and other languages better.

 

(We don't do Latin in our house though, I actually agree with your son: languages that other people speak are more interesting and useful to put our limited time and energy into. You might consider dropping the Latin and letting him choose a living language to focus on. Nothing magical about Latin :) )

[desertflower]

Thanks Maize. 

 

Yes, I understand your point.  I have Song School Latin, so it's fun.  And something I can do with all 3 kids.  I don't make anyone write in the workbook.  Just conversing. 

 

I love Latin.  In fact, I should have majored in Latin.  That may be why I don't mind starting this early.  ;)  I'm going to take it real slow. 

 

We are also learning Spanish, so he can converse with others using that language.

 

Thank you for the advice. 

[maize]

Ah well, in that case tell him you are studying Latin because it is something that Mom loves and wants to share with him :)

[73349]

I'd tell them it's like a secret key or decoder ring to words in several languages--as caballus (horse) is the foundation of cavalry, chivalry, cavalier, cheval, and caballo.

[desertflower]

Oooooooh yes. That will work too!  He loves decoding. 

 

Thanks whitehawk. 

[Haiku]

Latin is not dead. It has simply evolved.  :thumbup1:

[El...]

Dd used it to inform a new friend at a party, "Oh, your name means 'star' in Latin!"

 

I may have taught her this traditional (cough) rhyme:

 

Latin is a language as dead as it can be;

It killed the ancient Romans, and now it's killing me!

[maize]

Latin is not dead. It has simply evolved. :thumbup1:

I like this!

[KrissiK]

Because it's fun! It teaches you to think. It really hasn't occurred to my kids that it used to be a spoken language, but it's not now.

[Aloha2U]

3 Reasons to Study Latin by Martin Cothran @ Memoria Press

 

http://www.memoriapress.com/articles/3-reasons-study-latin

[desertflower]

Thanks everyone!  You guys made me chuckle.  :)