Resources to learn Latin

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I’m not sure if this is the right forum for this, so I apologize if it is not.

I took a year of classical Latin in high school, which is seriously rusty. That was… oh… 17 years ago maybe? I enjoy learning languages and have been itching to study one again lately, so I thought Latin would be a good choice, so that I can read the Mass and other Church writings in Latin.

I’ve also asked my RCIA advisor, who is doing some consideration and will get back to me on it soon (he is, I think, reasonably fluent in Latin).

I have a background in linguistics, with a focus on formal syntax, so grammar doesn’t scare me. I also tend to pick up languages easily and have studied Latin, French, Russian and Japanese. I hope that does not sound boastful – just to say, language is my “strong subject.”

I’ve done some searching and found some options, such as Collins’ Ecclesiastical Latin, Henle’s Latin, Orberg’s Latin, of course Wheelock’s, etc.

If you also happen to have studied Japanese, I think Eleanor Harz Jordan’s books were some of the best language texts I have used, and something similar might be ideal.

Thank you for any advice.
 
And don’t overlook youtube. There seems to be a growing number of Latin language entries there as well.

youtube.com/watch?v=HZHRCuEjpbA&feature=related

youtube.com/watch?v=GfxK6fC2v6c&feature=related

youtube.com/watch?v=khgDa_ecR4c&feature=related

youtube.com/watch?v=yDortyyp228&feature=related

youtube.com/watch?v=if4XZVFTK5A&feature=related

and many more.

Also a good flashcard site where you can enter your own flashcards:

flashcardmachine.com/language-latin.html

Personally I find the Collins book of great value. Much of the vocabulary is studied based on prefixes and the meaning of the word comes alive much better.
 
Cursus Linguae Latinae Vivae Editiones Familiae Sancti Hieronymi and Collins’ A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin.
 
Have you checked the Sticky: [thread=173658]Latin resources[/thread] at the top of this forum?

tee
 
I suggest that you start with:

A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin - John. F Collins

amazon.com/Primer-Ecclesiastical-Latin-John-Collins/dp/0813206677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299867586&sr=1-1

I think this book is the best introduction to ecclesiastical Latin, and the easiest to work through. You will also need the answer key:
An Answer Key to a Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin - John R Dunlop***

amazon.com/Answer-Key-Primer-Ecclesiastical-Latin/dp/0813214696/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299867586&sr=1-2

Another good book is:

Latin Grammar: Grammar Vocabularies and Exercises in Preparation for the Reading of the Missal and Breviary - Scanlon & Scanlon

amazon.com/Latin-Grammar-Vocabularies-Exercises-Preparation/dp/0895550024/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1299867418&sr=8-6

The answers to the excercises can be found online. This book can be used in conjunction with Collins’ Primer, but on its own is a little more complicated for a beginner. The second volume in this set is:

Second Latin

amazon.com/Second-Latin-Cora-C-Scanlon/dp/0895550032/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1299867543&sr=1-1

This is also very good and is geared towards theology texts etc.There is a mini dictionary at the back of both books which is also very helpful.

You will also need a dictionary - any of the standard Latin ones will do. However, there are dictionaries which deal more with ecclesiastical terms. These can be expensive, but a good one reasonably priced is:

Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin

amazon.com/Dictionary-Ecclesiastical-Latin-Leo-Stelten/dp/1565631315/ref=pd_sim_b_2

I suggest also that you get a good Latin Bible. This one is excellent:

***Douay-Rheims and Clementina Vulgata: English-Latin Bible ***

amazon.com/Douay-Rheims-Clementina-Vulgata-English-Latin-Bible/dp/1905574444/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1299868083&sr=1-3-spell

It contains the Latin text on the left and the english on the right. Reading a section every day is a good way of building up vocabulary and getting used to Latin grammar.

The most important thing is setting time aside every day, even if some days you only read vocabulary or look over declensions etc. Also, when you start to read theology manuals be aware that some authors are harder to read than others. Start with the ones you can read without picking up the dictionary every other paragraph and when you are comfortable the harder ones will come easier. Good Luck.
 
Thanks, all.

And no, I didn’t see the sticky :o Someday I’ll learn how to navigate this giant forum. Ahem!
 
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