S
severinus
Guest
Well, if you really want to know, get a snack and I’ll tell you the story…
I have a condition called Asperger’s Syndrome. It’s a neurobiological disorder on the Autistic Spectrum. One of its manifestations is an obsession with one hobby or topic (there are some seriously bad manifestations too). Mine is language, particularly orthography.
When I was four, I taught myself basic Latin. I continued with it throughout childhood. I took four years in prep school; in college I was able to study Medieval Latin. In the 1980s, when the Indult TLM was brought back to my diocese, I signed up to serve it, so I began to look into Ecclesiastical Latin(EL). It’s quite a bit easier than Classical, especially compared to Cicero and Vergil.
I translate on a freelance basis, both Latin to English and vice versa. I recently got signed by a translation agency in NYC.
I know there are various courses out there for learning Latin, but I use Wheelock’s Latin; it’s very good and has a workbook for extra practice.
Latin is more like a second language for me. I believe, along with the Church, that Catholic laity ought to know more of the Church’s language. EL is not difficult; the Vulgate and liturgical texts are quite simple, especially as the English texts are readily available for comparison.
There is a thread that we have resurrected and are trying to turn into a regular Latin Forum:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=50571&highlight=latin
Drop by and ask questions or get some recommendations.