Why Latin?

Over the past weeks, your president has been asked many a time: “Why Latin?” Many among our Rotarians remain rather intrigued why they need to contend with Latin quotes and sayings; when I could just directly quote the English meanings—never even having to reconcile with a single word of Latin.

This will be my attempt to explain and justify my option of having Latin (all over) this Rotary Year: as club motto and as a weekly title for my President’s Corner. I write the following in the hope to convince you that my reasons are valid and likewise good in “challenging your mind.”

In the first place, you already know several words of Latin! Many “English” words are actually Latin. Some examples: alibi (elsewhere), agenda (things to be done), alias (otherwise), per se (by or in itself), per capita (per head), per diem (per day), ergo (therefore), pro rata (in proportion to the value)—all of these are Latin word/s which you already know and use, in all their freshness, without the benefit of any translation. Did you know that at least 60% of words in the English language are derived from Latin? Get any English dictionary, examine the etymology of words, and appreciate the sheer number of words that have Latin root words or derivations. Most, if not all, of the 206 bones in your body are Latin; our Rotarian doctors will confirm this. Our lawyers also have Latin (as a staple source of words) in their legal vocabulary which confirms that the influence of Roman Law is still alive in the words they use (if not also in the essence of the thinking that pervades their field).

“Knowing Latin is like having a key: it opens doors to English vocabulary, Romance languages, and centuries of literature.”

Likewise, many of the common abbreviations you use are actually Latin. Just to name a few: A.D. is actually Anno Domini (in the year of the Lord); etc. is actually et cetera (and the rest), e.g. is exempli gratia (for the sake of example); m.o. actually mean modus operandi (way of operating); op. cit., usually used in literary work means opera citato (in the work just quoted); n.b. is nota bene (note well or observe carefully)…. I can go on and on….

Many organizational, state, and country mottos are in Latin. Just to name a few: A mari usque ad mare (From sea to sea)- motto of Canada; Ad lucem (Towards the light)- motto of the University of Lisbon; A pluribus unum (From many, one)- motto of the USA; Esse quam videri (To be, rather than to seem)- state motto of North Carolina; Semper fidelis (Always faithful)- motto of US Marine Corps; Semper Paratus (Always prepared)- motto of US Coast Guards; and Sapientia aedificat (Wisdom builds)- motto of Saint Louis University (SLU), in Baguio. Latin has that certain “snub appeal” when used in a motto; hence, its widespread use.

During our days at SLU Boys’ High School (some forty years ago), we were the “chosen ones” who were the last of the Classical Section. We studied Latin for four long years—as a special subject added to our regular high school curriculum; the reason why I share this love and appreciation for this “dead” but special language. As explained to its students by its teachers, Latin: (1) Teaches English vocabulary like no other language; (2) Prepares students for the study of modern languages; (3) Teaches grammar far more effectively than any English curriculum; (4) Trains students in valuable habits of mind: memory, order, attention to detail; (5) Provides us with a lifetime worth of reading; (6) Is quite simply beautiful. Even if you disregard the first four, and just settle for the last two items/reasons, you would already have good motivation to be interested in Latin—as we continue to enjoy our quotes again and again throughout life, for their wisdom, being undimmed by age—theirs, or ours. At its best, Latin is a model of an ordered, polished, and balanced language. It is a pleasure to read, to write, and even to recite.

Maybe my view is biased, but do indulge me and my Latin, and enjoy learning a little of the language in the process. My hope is that you will eventually like it….

Even if you do not fully agree with my brief explanation, you will definitely have to agree with the third and fourth paragraphs of this article (at the very least). Thence, in the final analysis, whether you like Latin or not, you cannot escape from it. It is something that is here to stay. You can run, but you cannot hide from Latin. Like it or not, Latin is something you must contend with!