Greek or Latin what should I take?

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My seminary offers a joint stab program with the medic I have to have a years worth of Latin or greek I have had 1 semester Latin but retain very little. Which will be more useful?
 
AmericanFighter said:
My seminary offers a joint stab program with the medic I have to have a years worth of Latin or greek I have had 1 semester Latin but retain very little. Which will be more useful?
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Not sure I am completely following you, but if you mean would a year of Greek or Latin be more useful for studying scripture I’d lean towards Greek. That’s assuming that it’s koine Greek and you want to understand specific passages with differing translations.

That being said, I’m not sure if a year of any particular language is going to make that big of an impact unless you are using it regularly and continue to study after the class. That is simply because 1 year is not enough to get more than the basic structure of a language. Generally a year of Greek or Latin will help you understand their influence on a modern language (things like word roots), but not really help you if you want to read those languages beyond short passages.
 
It’s really up to you. If I were in your shoes I would take Latin. Latin is a great thing to know because you can attend Latin mass, sing Latin hymns, read a lot of old European literature, and much more. I hope you have fun in which ever one you take:thumbsup:
 
I’d do Latin first, because it uses the same alphabet. Like with learning Russian or Japanese or Arabic, that extra level of “this symbol = that sound (sometimes!)” makes a bit steeper of a learning curve.
 
If you want to follow the liturgurial stuff onyl, latin. However, if you are good with languages, and plan to focus on biblical studies, then go with Greek, as NT is written in Greek.
 
Frankly I’m surprised you don’t have to do both.
If you’re a Scripture scholar, Greek. Otherwise, you’ll use Latin much more.
The canonist who married us specialized in Biblical languages, including Aramaic.
 
pianistclare said:
If you’re a Scripture scholar, Greek. Otherwise, you’ll use Latin much more.
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Agree with this. Latin is very useful for following the TLM and other old Latin prayers, also for understanding legal and medical terms and the roots of many English words.
However, I also agree that one year is just going to provide the briefest of overviews. I had four years of Latin and am just marginally functional in being able to read it.
 
I think you should consult with your formator and academic advisor about what coursework you need to be doing. What exactly is the point of asking strangers on the internet? I would never have thought of asking around on the internet at any point in my schooling. I would either use the academic catalog to determine the requirements for my program of study or consult with my advisor before registering for classes.

-Fr ACEGC
 
edward_george said:
I think you should consult with your formator and academic advisor about what coursework you need to be doing. What exactly is the point of asking strangers on the internet? I would never have thought of asking around on the internet at any point in my schooling. I would either use the academic catalog to determine the requirements for my program of study or consult with my advisor before registering for classes.

-Fr ACEGC
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Little of an overreaction to asking for information on the languages. Of course I will ask my formators just want as much info as I can get.
 
I’d go with Latin. That’s what I’m planning on doing (though only because none of the schools I’m applying to offer Koine Greek). It’ll be more “immediately” useful.
 
Latin is the background of the Romance languages. French is such a language.
 
AmericanFighter said:
My seminary offers a joint stab program with the medic I have to have a years worth of Latin or greek I have had 1 semester Latin but retain very little. Which will be more useful?
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Latin is a wonderful way to learn Greek grammar and not have the added dilemma of learning a new alphabet! Both are from the same language family, but Latin has more children. It depends on your goals, personal drive, and amount of patience as to which you should learn (first?). 🙂
 
josephback said:
Latin is a wonderful way to learn Greek grammar
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Nope. :nope:

Latin doesn’t have the notion of ‘aktionsart’ in the way that Greek does. Both are highly inflected, but if you walk into Greek expecting it to be Latin, you’re in for a surprise… 😉
and not have the added dilemma of learning a new alphabet!
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This is absolutely true!

I would recommend Latin first (since you’re certain, as a priest, to see benefit from it). I would recommend Greek second, since it will greatly benefit your Scripture study…!
 
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