Via Facilis
Mastering Latin and Understanding Language
by
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Latin
poses one major challenge to the beginning student: it is an inflected
language. The word “inflected” means “changed, altered”. An inflected language
changes or alters the form of its nouns, adjectives, and verbs, depending upon
their grammatical function in a sentence. The alteration generally occurs at
the end of the word. Some inflected languages, Latin among them, alter all
three of these parts of speech. In Modern English, meanwhile, the inflections
have virtually disappeared: its nouns and verbs change only slightly, and its
adjectives (except for demonstratives) not at all.
This,
then, is the difficulty: we approach Latin, a language of many
alterations/inflections, from the point of view of English, a language of
(seemingly) very few. As such, we must
develop a strong, working sense of how English verbs, nouns, and adjectives
change – and how they don't. We need to reorient ourselves from treating
English just as our native tongue to English as an Inflected Language. This
requires that we actively and persistently challenge ourselves to understand
the mechanics by which English conveys meaning. Once we begin to understand
those mechanics, and the integral (if limited) role that inflection plays
therein, we will be better equipped to comprehend Latin’s more extensive system
of change.
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About the Book
Via Facilis:
Mastering Latin and Understanding Language, is an introductory Latin text for
students from grade 6 through college. VF presumes no prior critical analysis
of language. VF employs both traditional grammatical deductive and
reading-based inductive pedagogies in a hybrid method. VF begins the learning
of Latin through English, which the students know and scrutinize, however
subconsciously. Once the students are actively aware both of the basic elements
of the English sentence, and of their composition and arrangement therein, they
turn their focus to Latin. VF helps
students develop sensitivity to the structure of Latin: how its sentences build
and change. The keystone of VF is Building Blocks. Each chapter's Building
Blocks require students to continually revisit the same words, an aid to
vocabulary acquisition. Revisitation calls attention
to word order. The various permutations from block to block enable students to
see Latin's flexibility. Students can read original Latin with real comprehension at an
early stage because of their solid grasp of the morphology and syntax of the
language fostered by a keen awareness of how the Latin sentence builds.
Finally, students develop a consciousness of the fundamental workings and idiosyncracies not just of English, but of language in
general.
About the Author
Dr.
Richard Gilder III has taught Latin
and Greek to students from 5th grade through graduate school. Currently he
teaches Latin, Greek, and Spanish to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders at
Dr.
Gilder graduated cum laude from