Learning Ecclesiastical Latin

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Hi everyone! Following Pope Benedict’s request that the faithful become familiar with the Divine Office, I’ve decided to begin praying Lauds, Vespers, and Compline. I’d like to be able to do this comfortably in Latin, so I purchased Latin Grammar and Second Latin by Scanlon & Scanlon to help me accomplish this task. The first book in the series was out of stock so only Second Latin came in the mail. The book seems like it’s going to be very useful, my only problem is that there’s no answer key and my attempts at finding one online have been unsuccessful so far. Is there anyone out there who is proficient in Latin and is willing to correct my attempts at the readings and exercises from the textbook? My hope is that if I can work through the entire book and get everything checked an answer key can be made to help others who might find themselves using this series to learn Latin. So far I’ve got the first chapter’s reading and exercises and my attempts at translating them typed up. Anyone out there able to help me? Thanks in advance and God bless! 🙂
 
Thanks for the link! Somehow Google translate confuses me more than the book does. I think my lack of familiarity with all the philosophical terms is what’s making the book more difficult than I thought. Plus it seems like there’s several different ways to translate every single Latin word I’ve come across in that book. I attached a copy the files I typed up in an attempt to work through the first few lessons. I’m pretty sure I’m way off on some of the answers, especially in the last reading section of each lesson. If anyone wants to make any corrections, I’d appreciate the feedback. Hopefully things get easier as I go along…
 
Mike,

I am glad to hear your interest in the mother tongue of Rome. To give just a little background, Scanlon’s grammar 1 and 2 was put out right after the war(WW2) to especially help those men who had latin before and were inclined to join seminary.

I know teachers and students alike who say that it would be a difficult book to get through w/o prior exposure to latin. Perhaps it is not too difficult for you. I know when I attempted to use it on my own, I was not able to get too far in it.
A program that I am now involved in has us use Fr Robert Henle’s “1st Year Latin”, and then, when completed with that, moves us to Scanlon’s books. Henle’s is ecclesiastical latin, which, like Scanlon’s, is what we need to pray the breviary and other Church writings. Also, Henle’s offers an answer key to the works. He has, I believe, a 4 year course.
I am about halfway throgh Henle’s first year. It is not that bad, and builds you up. I have found it easier to follow and if one completes this book, then Scanlon will not be such a challenge. Just my thoughts. If I can add anything to your translation, I will. Just persevere.
Joe
 
Thanks for the advice! I have a really basic understanding of Latin so I think taking a refresher course definitely can’t hurt. Latin is tricky because it’s close enough to Spanish to make me think I understand more than I do, so for the time being I’m going to have to rely more on the English translation on the DivinumOfficium website than I’d like to. 😛
 
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