Wile E Coyote

Check out the Latin subtitles!  Not correct, of course.  Coyote would probably be "Canis latrans".  Since there were no coyotes in ancient Italy, there is not an actual Latin word.  Canis latrans is the scientific name and literally means "Howling dog".  

Have you watched a Roadrunner cartoon recently?

Why all the Pig Latin jokes?

I admit it.  I laughed...

A new novel completely in Latin?

Wenatchee Valley professor makes literary history (by Allen Schauffler/ KING 5 News):

"It's not a first, but it's the first in a long, long time. Wenatchee Valley College professor Stephen Berard has written and published "Capti," a modern novel, entirely in Latin, which he hopes will help reawaken interest in the language."

Latin in Mathematics

Latin Terms and Phrases in Mathematics (Platonics Website):Mathematics is an ancient discipline, and consequently it has picked up a good deal of terminology over the years that is not commonly used in ordinary discourse. Phrases and terms from Latin make up a large part of this terminology, and reading mathematical texts – especially more advanced ones – is made easier if one is equipped with knowledge of these terms in advance...

What have the Romans ever done for us?

One more time...Monty Python and the advances of the Romans!

Latin and Finland?

I knew that Finland had radio stations that broadcasted in Latin, but I was completely unaware of just how much the country uses the language!

Finland makes Latin the King (by Jonny Dymon, BBC News):
"Finland is one of the quieter members of the EU. But now its turn at the EU presidency has thrust it into the spotlight - and exposed an unusual passion.  Like the boy at the party with cheese straws stuck up his nose, it has been caught doing something vaguely disturbing - indulging a penchant for Latin."

Latin in chat rooms

It's not that hard to find!  I once had a conversation completely in Latin with a history buff from California. It was extremely interesting and funny.

Net helps resuscitate a "dead" language (by Rachel Konrad, CNET News):
"Hey, baby, tribus verbis te volo.  That's Latin for "I want a word with you"--a phrase that's becoming increasingly common on Internet message boards and in chat rooms.

Considered a "dead" language for at least a century, Latin is experiencing its most stunning renaissance since the Enlightenment--compliments of the Internet."

Who says Pig Latin isn't a real language?

But Mom....

Old Roman Jokes

Think today's humor is unique?  Not quite....


Classic gags discovered in ancient Roman joke book (by Alison Flood of The Guardian):
"We may admire the satires of Horace and Lucilius, but the ancient Romans haven't hitherto been thought of as masters of the one-liner. This could be about to change, however, after the discovery of a classical joke book.  Celebrated classics professor Mary Beard has brought to light a volume more than 1,600 years old, which she says shows the Romans not to be the "pompous, bridge-building toga wearers" they're often seen as, but rather a race ready to laugh at themselves."

Seeing the real Rome

Interesting article....


De-Romanticizing Rome (by Amber Ruth Paulen):
"Judging by the bookshelves, Rome has been condensed into a mere repetition of themes: what tasty food, passionate people, beautiful art, ancient ruins, and history! Is that all there is to Rome?  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Then, I wonder, why do writers tend to jump into the same old rut?" 

Gladiator: The Real Story

What an interesting website!  David Neelin discusses the truths and myths behind Ridley Scott's film Gladiator.  There are also links back to other sites that contain timelines of Roman history as well as other cultural discussions.


Gladiator:  The Real Story (by David Neelin):
"This site provides historical insight into the actual characters and events portrayed in Ridley Scott's film Gladiator. It discusses the film's plot and ending, so if you have not seen the movie yet, you may want to come back later!"

Why we need more, not less Latin in schools...

Another interesting article that I found from a London journalist's blog.  He definitely has a different perspective!


Why We Need More, Not Less Latin in Schools...: (by Lindsay Johns of Mail Online)
"Later this month, as part of the Mayor's new Latin volunteering initiative, I will be going into comprehensive schools across the capital to talk to the students about the joys of Latin; more precisely, in an attempt to dispel Latin’s fusty, doddery and quite frankly arcane image problem (which we would be churlish to deny it has)..."

Spanish sí, Latin non?

Kind of sad to me.  But an interesting article anyway.


Spanish sí, Latin non:  School language offerings changing with the times: (by Michael Riley of the Asbury Park Press)
"“Veni, vini, vici."  The Latin phrase from Julius Caesar, meaning “I came, I saw, I conquered,” was once familiar to most high school students in the days when Latin was a required subject in the early part of the 20th century."

Mea culpa

Click on comic to see larger version!

Bizarro Latin Comic

Caveat emptor, dude!

Click on comic for larger view!

Latin in the Law

     Did you know that learning Latin could help you understand many of the terms used in legal proceedings?  I'm pretty sure most of us have heard of the legal term "habeas corpus".  It's Latin for "you may have the body".  What does that mean for a lawsuit?  Prisoners often seek release by filing a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate to a prison official ordering that an inmate be brought to the court so it can be determined whether or not that person is imprisoned lawfully and whether or not he should be released from custody. 


   What about "pro bono publico"?  The term, usually shorted to just pro bono, means "for the public good".  It generally is used to describe work undertaken without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service.  Lawyers would provide legal services to those who are unable to afford them. 


   A subpoena is a writ by a court that has the authority to compel testimony by a witness or the production of evidence under a penalty for failure. "Subpoena" is Latin for "under the penalty".  If you are given a subpoena and do not appear in court, you could be charged with contempt and your penalty could be time in jail.  


    I worked in a lawyer's office for around 2 years and I heard Latin terms all the time!  Just one more reason to study Latin....

Sprechen sie Latin?

I laughed for an absurdly long time when I watched this.

Cogito, ergo sum...porcus?

Did ancients Romans really say that?

I shop, therefore I am!

History is always alive!

Just found this article and reading through it made me laugh.  


History is always alive (by Thomas Gelsthorpe): "When I was a schoolboy struggling to translate Cicero from Latin into English, classmates recited this ditty: "Latin is a dead language, plain as you can see. It killed off all the Romans and now it's killing me."