Latin pronunciation critique needed

[VAC]

My group is singing ‘Tantum Ergo’ this Sunday for the exposition during mass after communion. One of my singers was helping review the pronunciation at my request, and now I’m more confused than last year… she started talking about the different types of Latin pronunciation. liturgical vs classic.

So if some of you Latin scholars out there don’t mind… Have a listen to our home quality recording of our practice and let us know how we did (before Sunday )

Here’s the link.

home.comcast.net/~bjxxiii9amchoir/site/?/page/Our_Music/

 

[japhy]

…she started talking about the different types of Latin pronunciation. liturgical vs classic.

Yes, liturgical Latin is pronounced differently than classical Latin.

For example, cenae (supper) in classical Latin would be chen-eye, but liturgically pronounced, ae is the same as e, so it’s chen-aye. See this EWTN page for liturgical Latin pronunciation.

 

[THurifer2]

Tantum ergo was done right. Wow some of those other songs take me back to the 70s…a place I don’t want to go.

 

[Cranch]

Yes, liturgical Latin is pronounced differently than classical Latin.

For example, cenae (supper) in classical Latin would be chen-eye…

Not to be picky, but……ok, I’m going to be picky. In the classical period this word was pronounced ken-eye. The “ch” sound before the letters “e” and “i” came only in late antiquity. Something I picked up from this book.

 

[japhy]

Not to be picky, but……ok, I’m going to be picky. In the classical period this word was pronounced ken-eye. The “ch” sound before the letters “e” and “i” came only in late antiquity. Something I picked up from this book.

Well, there you go. I only pronounce Latin liturgically, and the ae difference is one of the few changes I knew of. Thanks.

 

[tee_eff_em]

So if some of you Latin scholars out there don’t mind… Have a listen to our home quality recording of our practice and let us know how we did (before Sunday )

The only fault I would note, and it is a minor one perhaps forgiveable in singing (cf. [thread=160318]Pronounce “tuum” for me[/thread]), is the pronunciation of sensuum, which should be sehn-soo-oom, not sehn-soo-uhm.

(cf. also [post=2589753]Latin Resources Ecclesiastical Latin Pronunciation Guide[/post] ff)

tee

 

[Chatter163]

I think that slightly rolled *r’*s, a toned down Italian or Spanish style, sound better in Latin. Of course, a Frenchman will disagree.