Latin or Greek: Which language would be the most beneficial to learn?

[Angel_Hazard]

Which one of these languages would be the most beneficial to learn? I’m interesting in learning more about these languages but I am not really sure were to start.

Which would also be the easiest for someone to teach themselves online.

Thanks

 

[Angel_Hazard]

I would like to learn Latin or Greek online, which would be the best to learn online?

 

[tobbias88]

Latin is much much easier, esp. if you have Spanish or Italian or French …or even English.

We have the same alphabet( except for a few letters) and you will soon begin to recognize much of the vocabulary since a vast quantity of our words are derived from Latin (although the meanings may have altered slightly over time). Latin is very logical and systematic unlike English where there are so many exceptions to the rule.

Greek poses additional problems. Which version - classical, Church or modern Greek - will you learn? They are all quite different.

Why not give both a shot -seems learning a new language stimulates the brain & helps ward off dementia. Much more interesting than crosswords any day. I believe Finland publishes a daily paper (on-line) in Latin

 

[eichenb2]

Which one of these languages would be the most beneficial to learn? I’m interesting in learning more about these languages but I am not really sure were to start.

Which would also be the easiest for someone to teach themselves online.

Thanks

Why not do both? I am. I started with Latin for three reasons.

1. I attend a Tridentine mass and I brush up on my Latin while at Mass.
2. I speak Spanish and some French and, so, am already familiar with some Latin.
3. The Latin used in the Church has several common elements to Greek.

Most importantly, I would ask why you want to learn Greek or Latin. Greek would clearly be more beneficial for reading the New Testament documents or Greek Fathers. Also, as you probably know Koine Greek (N.T.) is not the same as modern Greek. So, I would suggest you steer clear of Berlitz travel greek guidebooks.
Latin would be more benefiacial if you, like me are interested in studying Latin theology texts like the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas.

 

[Langdell]

I agree with tobbias – for most people, Latin is much easier. Among other things, it has fewer different word forms you need to memorize.

.

 

[COPLAND_3]

I’d start with Greek because you have not only the Greek NT but you also have the Greek Septuagint OT, which is the OT of the Apostles. But you can’t go wrong with Latin either.

 

[diggerdomer]

Which one of these languages would be the most beneficial to learn? I’m interesting in learning more about these languages but I am not really sure were to start.

Which would also be the easiest for someone to teach themselves online.

Thanks

Depends on what you want to learn them for. If your interest is primarily Scripture, I’d go with Greek (as the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament were originally written in Greek).

If your interest is history, e.g., Latin may be more helpful because so much of the Church’s tradition (e.g. Augustine, Aquinas, many ecumenical councils) used Latin. Although, there are of course many patristic sources that wrote in Greek, so if your historical interest is primarily the first few centuries Greek would likely be more beneficial.

 

[GenosFutureWife]

I just found this site… Latin and Greek info… not sure how good the material is, but it’s free! Which, in my book, is grrrrreat!

textkit.com/

I am still looking for an easy way to type on the computer in Greek…?

 

[adawgj]

If you have a background in romance languages Latin will be easier.
If you want to attend Latin Mass I’d choose Latin.

However I would learn both

 

[catholictiger]

Which one of these languages would be the most beneficial to learn? I’m interesting in learning more about these languages but I am not really sure were to start.

Which would also be the easiest for someone to teach themselves online.

Thanks

it depends what you want to use it for.

Latin is a very good language to learn but if you want to grow deeper in scripture study than study greek or hebrew because this is the language the bible was written in. By learning these languages you can understand the bible more deeply. You don’t have to trust the orthodoxy of translators you can read the original language itself.