Latin language: Difference between revisions
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'''Latin''' is the [[language]] which was the dominant medium of [[communication]] in [[Europe]] during the ascendancy of the [[Roman Empire]]. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the [[ninth century]], it remains important in a number of areas. The [[Romance | '''Latin''' is the [[language]] which was the dominant medium of [[communication]] in [[Europe]] during the ascendancy of the [[Roman Empire]]. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the [[ninth century]], it remains important in a number of areas. The [[Romance languages]] (among them [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[French language|French]], [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Romanian language|Romanian]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] and [[Romansh language|Romansh]]) are descended from Latin, and the [[English language]], having borrowed from these, especially from [[Norman French]] and Latin itself, similarly has a highly Latinate vocabulary. Knowledge of Latin roots can therefore provide the lay person with clues as to the meanings of terms in the Romance languages. Latin terminology is still used in the [[science]]s, particularly in [[medicine]], as well as in [[law]]. It is also the liturgical language of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. | ||
Latin is a highly [[synthetic language]], using many [[affixation|suffix]]es to indicate concerns such as [[number (linguistics)|number]], [[gender (linguistics)|gender]], [[formality]], [[possession (linguistics)|possession]], and [[tense (linguistics)|tense]]. Adding these endings is called [[conjugation|conjugating]] for [[verb]]s and [[declension|declining]] for [[noun]]s and [[adjective]]s. | Latin is a highly [[synthetic language]], using many [[affixation|suffix]]es to indicate concerns such as [[number (linguistics)|number]], [[gender (linguistics)|gender]], [[formality]], [[possession (linguistics)|possession]], and [[tense (linguistics)|tense]]. Adding these endings is called [[conjugation|conjugating]] for [[verb]]s and [[declension|declining]] for [[noun]]s and [[adjective]]s. | ||
Revision as of 04:09, 2 August 2008
Latin is the language which was the dominant medium of communication in Europe during the ascendancy of the Roman Empire. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the ninth century, it remains important in a number of areas. The Romance languages (among them Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese and Romansh) are descended from Latin, and the English language, having borrowed from these, especially from Norman French and Latin itself, similarly has a highly Latinate vocabulary. Knowledge of Latin roots can therefore provide the lay person with clues as to the meanings of terms in the Romance languages. Latin terminology is still used in the sciences, particularly in medicine, as well as in law. It is also the liturgical language of the Roman Catholic Church.
Latin is a highly synthetic language, using many suffixes to indicate concerns such as number, gender, formality, possession, and tense. Adding these endings is called conjugating for verbs and declining for nouns and adjectives.