Is Latin still useful?

[Albatross]

It was a language much like English today, and people interested in history,literature,religious studies or Western Civilization should study it.
After all,USA is ,in part,an off-shoot of that civilization.
In practical,how much money is this going to make me terms,it`s not worth much.

[SlitheryDee]

Originally Posted by Doppel

If LATIN actually helps give an edge in that more than spending the time on, oh, English, the test needs to be altered.

I guess you might come across an english word you've never seen before, but notice that it is composed of latin root words that you know the meaning to. Like if you know that the latin word adeps has to do with being fat or greasy, then you can guess at the meaning of the english word adipose, even if you've never seen it before.

[clamum]

Originally Posted by Albatross

It was a language much like English today, and people interested in history,literature,religious studies or Western Civilization should study it.
After all,USA is ,in part,an off-shoot of that civilization.
In practical,how much money is this going to make me terms,it`s not worth much.

I'm extremely interested in history (mainly concerned with Western Civ) and read quite a bit of it, and have had zero need for Latin.

How old are your children OP? Are you sure taking Latin would be a "bonus/fun class" for them?

[IronWing]

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[ichy]

Originally Posted by JTsyo

That's why I hear HS students take it. To give them an edge in the English portion of the SATs.

The best way to do well on the English portion of the SAT is to read a lot.

[Albatross]

Originally Posted by clamum

I'm extremely interested in history (mainly concerned with Western Civ) and read quite a bit of it, and have had zero need for Latin.

How old are your children OP? Are you sure taking Latin would be a "bonus/fun class" for them?

Nobody said anything about a need.

[clamum]

Originally Posted by Albatross

Nobody said anything about a need.

My bad, I mis-typed. I meant "should". I'm just not sure why.

[Lazarus52980]

Originally Posted by clamum

How old are your children OP? Are you sure taking Latin would be a "bonus/fun class" for them?

My oldest would be starting it next year, and will be 8 at the time.

He loves learning any and everything, so anything new will be fun/interesting.

If you care, I have a video of him in this post in H&F:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2294571

[nanette1985]

I accidentally minored in Latin in college (prof was really good and interesting so I kept taking his classes). I find it very useful for doing crossword puzzles. Other than that, no.

[StinkyPinky]

I took it for three years. It's useless to anyone except perhaps historians. I only took it because I like ancient history.

You're way better off with Spanish or Mandarin.

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Education is about perspective. Skills are about learning usable techniques. Education teaches you what the best skills are for a particular situation. Learning something about Latin falls under education.

[Printer Bandit]

what about Hindi?

[StinkyPinky]

Originally Posted by IronWing

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What you did there. I see it.

[Humpy]

Latino checking in.

I'd say yes, it's still very useful.

[Mixolydian]

Well a lot of English words are derived from Latin. Probably useful in the medical and legal fields especially.

[unokitty]

Originally Posted by Lazarus52980

My wife is intending to add Latin to my children’s school curriculum. Did anyone here study Latin? Have you used any of the skills/knowledge from it?

"Latin is taught as a mandatory subject in gymnasia and other so-called classical high schools, located chiefly in Europe. Latin grammar has been taught in most Italian schools since the 18th century: for example, in the Liceo classico and Liceo scientifico, Latin is still one of the primary subjects. In the United States, although once offered nearly universally, Latin is limited to elective status in a steadily declining number of grade schools, both public and private. The ordinary student can no longer count on being able to take Latin, but there are extracurricular means. The College Board examinations, which serve as an educational tool for the admission of students into colleges, still feature one Latin examination on a voluntary basis: Advanced Placement Latin: Vergil."

Whether your child should learn Latin depends on what kind of education you are seeking. For a classical education, Latin would be mandatory. If your goal isn't a classical education, then not so much...

Irregardless, I would encourage you to make sure that your child can communicate in more than one language. Whether that language is Mandarin or a European language would matter less to me...

Best of luck,
Uno

[preCRT]

Took Latin in high school, & what remember from those 2 years:

The Latin teacher in 9th grade had a nervous breakdown during 3rd semester. The replacement teacher was odd, found out later he plead guilty to molesting some of my male classmates. This guy took our entire 10th grade Latin class in his car, a VW bug, to a Latin festival one weekend. We read Winnie the Poo in Latin.

Have those 2 yrs been useful? Meh, maybe while doing crosswords or watching legal TV dramas, i.e. habeas corpus.

[BladeVenom]

A computer language or a popular language just seems a lot more useful.

[sportage]

Looks great on a resume. Your one us us. I'd say take it.

[Silver Prime]

who the hell is the member zinfamous...is he a mod or something or just some idiot?

[Soundmanred]

Originally Posted by Silver Prime

who the hell is the member zinfamous...is he a mod or something or just some idiot?

I geuss ur just cruzzin for a bruzzin eh?

[Silver Prime]

whoa, so admin?

[Soundmanred]

Originally Posted by Silver Prime

whoa, so admin?

u muss b cruzzin for a bruzzin!

[Silver Prime]

whoa, ??? So a nobody XD XD

[Lummex]

I love history, and want to continue studying it in the future. For me, I wish I had taken some Latin and may do so in the future. For most people, it's probably useless.