I need to improve my understanding of the dead language over the summer.
I do not want to take a class.
I do not want to spend much $$.
Anybody used flashcards or a particular system that proved effective?
I might have parts of this wrong, but it’s pertinent to ST: “Mens sana en mens sano.”
Start the easy way with an absolute understanding of English; cases, declensions and conjugations.
If you understand these, the move into Latin should be easy enough, if not, its a rough trip.
Move to Latinia, and just live among the people...
Start the easy way with an absolute understanding of English; cases, declensions and conjugations.
If you understand these, the move into Latin should be easy enough, if not, its a rough trip.
A very good piece of advice. They work hand in hand.
I might have parts of this wrong, but it’s pertinent to ST: “Mens sana en mens sano.”
That’s just Dan saying he’d rather be in a sauna with a bunch of men…I could be wrong, as my Latin is lacking. I actually think we’d be better served by learning Latin early, as so many roots are shared, and the romance languages would be easier to pick up.
!(file:///tmp/moz-screenshot-1.png)
!(file:///tmp/moz-screenshot.png)
I agree with Boudreaux that it’s imperative to understand how case, declension, etc. happens in English. But you only need to have a working kowledge, and that’s not all that difficult.
Get a good primer to start with. Some are designed for classroom use, while others will also work well with someone who is learning independently. Kennedy’s is the classic.
I also think vocabulary flashcards are imperative. You can make these, or you can buy premade ones.
I’m currently trying to learn Koine Greek, and use flashcards religiously. The nouns will have the lexical form, gender and key to the declension on the front, with possible definitions on the back. For example, front: “uios, -ou, -o,” back: “son, descendent.” I have premade ones, but add my own information and helps as I see fit. For example, a preposition card only has the definition on the back (“eis – into, in, among”). But I added that the particular preposition usually takes the object in the accusative.
I believe iTunesU has a number of free latin course that you can listen to and watch. If you’re going to do that, it may be worthwhile to at least get the primer that the instructor uses. While you say you don’t want to take a class, I would make this an exception. It won’t cost you anything extra and you’ll have something to check your understanding of the lesson against.
I agree with Boudreaux that it’s imperative to understand how case, declension, etc. happens in English. But you only need to have a working kowledge, and that’s not all that difficult.
Get a good primer to start with. Some are designed for classroom use, while others will also work well with someone who is learning independently. Kennedy’s is the classic.
I also think vocabulary flashcards are imperative. You can make these, or you can buy premade ones.
I’m currently trying to learn Koine Greek, and use flashcards religiously. The nouns will have the lexical form, gender and key to the declension on the front, with possible definitions on the back. For example, front: “uios, -ou, -o,” back: “son, descendent.” I have premade ones, but add my own information and helps as I see fit. For example, a preposition card only has the definition on the back (“eis – into, in, among”). But I added that the particular preposition usually takes the object in the accusative.
I believe iTunesU has a number of free latin course that you can listen to and watch. If you’re going to do that, it may be worthwhile to at least get the primer that the instructor uses. While you say you don’t want to take a class, I would make this an exception. It won’t cost you anything extra and you’ll have something to check your understanding of the lesson against.
Helluva good suggestion!
Within iTunes, I searched “Latin Language” and they have a free Latin Language course!
Thanks!
Learning ancient Greek is one of my planned future projects. Where did you get your “premade” flashcards?
Suggestions for learning Latin?
Start dating my friend Gretchen. She teaches Latin.
I searched “Latin Language” and they have a free Latin Language course!
And if the course is set up right, you can easily find out what text the instructor is using. And sometimes you get a link to the instructors web page that his the syllabus, assignments, and other materials.
Learning ancient Greek is one of my planned future projects. Where did you get your “premade” flashcards?
Mounce’s Basics of Biblical Greek Vocabulary Cards.
Of course, it’s Koine and not Classical Greek. If I were to do it over again, I’d probably learn Classical first, probably Attic. But I was interested in being able to the New Testament and patristic sources in the original. I don’t think there are as many resources available to the individual wanting to learn a classical dialect than Koine.
If you’re interested in Koine, Mounce is as good as any to start, as he has a workbook (with answers) and other resources. He also has on his website free download videos of his lectures for each chapter of the text.
The advantage of learning Greek over Latin is that Greek is so dead, you only have to learn how to read it.