Why Latin?
Classical EducationUntil the 20th century, the study of Latin has been a major point of emphasis in Western education, and this was the case even in American public schools up until 1962. As modern education turned toward utilitarianism, Latin study dropped 79% over the next 14 years. However, since 1976 Latin has been on the rise for some of the same reasons it is a major part of our curriculum at Lourdes Classical. As it turns out, Latin is quite “practical” after all!
“I can tell, 9 times out of 10, whether a student has studied Greek or Latin simply by reading his English.”
Dr. Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College
1. Mental Discipline
St. Thomas Aquinas defined wisdom as the ability to “order things rightly.” The study of Latin helps us do just that. Latin is so highly and rationally structured and precise that students of Latin develop precision in higher order thinking. This training helps students discover and make sense of the truth found in all content areas.
“One of the regrets of my life is that I did not study Latin. I’m absolutely convinced, the more I understand [the American Founding Fathers] that it was that grounding in Greek and Latin that gave them their sense of the classic virtues…”
David McCullough, Historian & Author
2. MASTERY OF ENGLISH
In order to master English, one must master the universal structures and principles of language itself. Since 55% of all English words and 90% of two-syllable English words come from Latin, a student’s vocabulary is expanded and his range of expression is amplified. “It allows you to adore words, take them apart, and find out where they came from” (Theodore Geisel, aka, “Dr. Seuss”).
“One of the regrets of my life is that I did not study Latin. I’m absolutely convinced, the more I understand [the American Founding Fathers] that it was that grounding in Greek and Latin that gave them their sense of the classic virtues…”
David McCullough, Historian & Author
“For those of us who are interested in excellent academic performance for our children, it appears that the easiest road to achieving that goal is to make sure our children actually learn Latin.”
Laura Berquist, Founder, Mother of Divine Grace School
3. Deepens Our Roots
It’s in our “cultural DNA”. Latin offers an indispensable lens through which to understand Western society and Christianity, as it is deeply embedded into the fabric of both. As American students wrestle with complex political, social, moral, and existential questions, they gain keen insight into a modern culture built around a Roman/Catholic framework. Christian worship, theological studies, and discipleship formation are also greatly aided by studying what remains the official language of the Church.
“I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the Latin grammar. I say this not because Latin is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent.”
Dorothy Sayers, Author
4. Foundation For Further Language Studies
About 80% of the words in the “Romance Languages” (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian) find their origin in Latin. For those parents interested in providing their children with an education in a “more practical” language such as Spanish, the study of Latin provides a tremendous foundation!
“I will say at once, quite firmly, that the best grounding for education is the Latin grammar. I say this not because Latin is traditional and medieval, but simply because even a rudimentary knowledge of Latin cuts down the labor and pains of learning almost any other subject by at least 50 percent.”