Background
The Roman Republic’s Mediterranean expanse from 509 B.C. to 27 B.C. is well documented in multiple, Latin texts, i.e., written records appearing in the form of historic scrolls (books did not exist at that time), which were later archived in libraries. Indeed, these tabulated, pre-Christian-era events form, even today, the primary source of information that remains regarding the attitudes, regulations, laws, wars, wines, agriculture and day-to-day customs of that period.
Latin was the lingua franca of everyday life but also the official, legal language of the government. It would be difficult, today, to understand and appreciate that pre-Empire history without the written works of Cincinnatus, Livy, Caesar, Cicero, Tacitus, and Augustus. For example, the valiant efforts made by the Gracchi brothers to make Rome a more plebs-friendly form of government would never have reached our ears without Livy’s Twelve Tables.
Of course, Latin was also the official language of the Church for many centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire in the west. Then, it began to slowly transform itself into variations around the main theme, i.e., local modes of communication, which became the Spanish, Portuguese, French, Belgian, Italian, Rumanian, etc., of present-day Europe.
It is curious, for example, to note that, even in Britain during the days of Sir Isaac Newton, Latin was still used in scientific circles to maintain a close network of communications. Newton’s treatise called “Principia Mathematica” published in 1687 is simply a case in point. Although many tradesmen knew and used English at the time, scientists in all disciplines across Europe did not use or understand the King’s English. Being recognized as a competitor and contributor in research required then, as it does now, to establish a broad readership when possible.
Latin in the Lives of Franco-Americans
Daily Mass and everyday prayers said in Latin were commonplace events in my childhood world. My parents, relatives, and neighbors, “les canucks” of Centralville, Pawtucketville, and Little Canada, were well-versed in the customs and beliefs of French Catholicism going back to France even before the reign of Louis XIV(1643 – 1715).
Even the less pious and learned among us readily knew the meaning of words and phrases given in the following excerpts.
“Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spirito tuo.” – “The Lord be with you. And with your spirit”
“Gloria tibi, Domine.” – “Glory to you, Lord.”
“Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.” – “But deliver us from evil. Amen.”
“Oremus.” – “Let us pray.”
“PATER NOSTER” – “Our Father”
“In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti” – “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
The above incantations resonate strongly in my mind, even today, as I relive the religious ceremonies of my youth. English words formed the common background of those youthful days, but adopted, ancient memories and beliefs, all in French and Latin, also often counter-resonated in my skull as an English-based reflection was examined.
A fact presented and examined in different language settings seems to change a little or a lot in meaning. There seems to be no direct, one-on-one correlation of word meanings across languages. Of course, sometimes, the respective meanings are quite similar, which is most fortunate if we ever hope to connect to one another across the planet.
On a Lighter Note
Brother Gilles, a thirty-five-year-old instructor of modest built, must have studied history at a university before joining the teaching order of the Marist Brothers, who were then making a valiant effort to bring worldly and Christian knowledge to a group of reluctant, French-Canadian, high school age boys living near the edge of the great Petit-Canada and the Acre divide that separated families of Quebec from those of Greek traditions.
As he freely admitted to us during his first week of Latin instruction, Brother Gilles, AKA, Frère Gilles, confessed that he, too, was learning the language while also trying to teach us its structure and forms. But, pronunciation was another matter. The intonation of Latin words is quite similar to the sounds needed to pronounce French words. So, we, Franco-Americans, had an advantage in this case.
This open and friendly admission quickly made Frère Gilles, in my mind, a true teacher, someone with whom I felt comfortable. Maybe, he had, originally, signed up to teach as a Marist brother with a background in history, politics, and science just when his teaching order needed talent in Latin and Roman history?
Life is curious. It often has the most unusual way of pushing us into areas where we lack adequate training.
Traditional Values
Great American leaders, who studied law before entering the political scene, often had been grounded in the history of European political, cultural, linguistic, and religious misunderstandings through their studies at local universities. Harvard stood out as one of the most renowned competitors among such institutions like Yale, William, and Mary, and Princeton.
What personal characteristics made their careers possible in a young, developing country such as ours? Did one need to be a Protestant to reach success? Were the doors to the upstairs suites closed to Franco-Americans? And, were the Irish, Greeks, and Poles doing any better?
At Harvard, a well-educated American distinguished himself – university training was yet an exclusive male privilege – by acquiring a classical education focused on literature, history, rhetoric, and languages.
As a typical American child, I was exposed in school to a litany of male, national heroes like Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Monroe, and Madison and, I felt intrigued by their success stories.
How might a guy from the lower rungs of our world hope to reach up above the economic waterline? Where might I find a respectable life doing work for myself, my family, and the country? Would knowledge of Latin make a difference? Much was in the balance.
Closing Comments
When I was a teenager, I really enjoyed reading the Reader’s Digest column called: “It pays to Increase Your Vocabulary”, which contained many, great insights on the entomology of words used in the English language. An example might be the word, “exfoliate”.
Note that the prefix “ex” means”away from” in Latin and that “folium” means “leaf’. So, “ex + folium” leads a reader to the infinitive form of the verb, “exfoliare”, which means to strip of leaves, a beautiful example on how Latin can bring joy into the hearts of your readers.
But, I won’t belabor my fascination with the literary tales of Cicero, Tacitus, et all. Readers with a keen interest in such details are directed to the web references listed below.
Latin Vocabulary Words for the Novice
Ten of the Best Latin Words and Phrases plus Quotes
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