Effect of using Latin

[TradionalWay]

You’re welcome.

There’s a real good book out there which I highly recommend:

Latin Alive: The Survival of Latin in English and the Romance Languages by Joseph B. Solodow (Kindle version available)

It goes into the evolution of words and sounds (dropping of the -m, letter substitutions, barbarian effect, etc.) mostly in the French, Italian, and Spanish with many examples. Very interesting and astute observations on the author’s part.

I will try find it.

I just love languages, let it be ancient or modern

 

[You]

I have a question about the use of Latin in liturgy and its wider impacts as a language-learning experience. Is there any study of the impact of hearing Latin - do people actually learn any Latin as a result? Have Latin-Mass-goers ever been scientifically tested to see if, in isolation from the Mass, they can understand the phrases used?

I’m sure you could pick up a few words. One interesting thing I’ve heard about learning latin as a language is that it makes for better english speakers. Latin teaches grammar.

 

[HOLY_POOH_FAN]

There used be, perhaps still is a huge billboard in the city where the largest University of the State system was located. It said simply LATIN THE FIRST LANGUAGE. Latin of course is the basic for the Romance languages, makes up one third of English thanks to the Church; French which is a Latin derivative makes up one third with German being the root of the rest. Liturgical and Bible Latin would naturally be limited- no word for nuclear weapons or 16-wheeler trucks (articulated lorries in the UK!)
It would be very easy to learn the Gloria, Creed, Agnus Dei and Pater Noster - Our Father- in Latin from knowing them in English and more easily in a Romance language. Thinking in another tongue is the best test rather than translating in one’s head.

 

[frantony]

I would think you would have to learn a few everyday words in any language before you speak it.

Not only that, in Latin and some other languages like Polish, you need to learn some verbal grammar as well, as many words are formed depending on their usage.

youtube.com/watch?v=HZHRCuEjpbA&feature=related

It does not matter what language you are familiar with. When you pray to God, you should pray in a language that He understands. Since the Roman Catholic God is a Roman, He understands Latin better than other languages, because it is his mother’s tongue. So Roman Catholics have to pray and say mass in Latin whether they understand it or not.