2006-07-06 13:55:44 · 15 answers · asked by moosenose1981 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Unfortunately, one of the world's most beautiful languages is, indeed, no longer in use fluently. I took Latin as a school course for three years and wondered the same thing. Of course, the fall of the Roman empire and other elements of history contributed to its downfall, but I still like to throw a Latin word or phrase into my speech to arouse the interest of other people.
In high school, all students would say it was the hardest language to take...I found it the easiest. I love that it is the base of most English, Spanish, French, and Italian vocabulary and was such a great influence over all. Latin will never truly die as long as we speak its "children" languages.
2006-07-11 08:00:56 · answer #1 · answered by X.CXS.X 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm italian, and I can say latin is really close to my language. So, it's not completely true saying that latin is a dead language. It just evolved into something new, like italian, spanish, french.... and actually 50% of the english words come from latin as well.
Just look at what I just wrote above: really, close, my, language, completely, language, just, evolve, new, actually.... all these words come from a latin root!
2006-07-06 15:19:47 · answer #2 · answered by steincina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the Spanish, Italian and French all derive from LATIN, and to some extend some words of other languages originate from Latin.
Latin in its true form is still alive in some areas of the Mediterranean
spoken by those that cherish the language
2006-07-06 13:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by gg 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Latin is dead. I can't say it any plainer. It may have spawned other languages, but it is no more alive than your great-great-great grandparents.
It is known as a dead language because it is no longer spoken natively, despite the Vatican's vain attempts to keep it current by "inventing" new Latin words like internetibus and miniskirtus.
2006-07-06 23:37:42 · answer #4 · answered by d291173 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dead language is one that is no longer evolving. Since, no one speaks Latin conversationly it is no longer subject to the changing usage that living languages face.
Although there is a Vatican office responsible for creating Latin terms that fit new things like the internet.
2006-07-06 13:59:26 · answer #5 · answered by MikeD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Latin died when Rome fell. The Vandals and other Germanic tribes sacked it. The Vandals defaced a lot of the statues, cutting their heads off and so on; which is where the word got it's start.
I am told that Latin and Italian are very similar.
Latin really isn't dead. It is still used as a way to make scientific names; like the name of animals, plants, and diseases.
2006-07-06 14:25:00 · answer #6 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's the root of romance languages (spanish, italian, romanian, french), not nearly "almost all languages".
And it's dead b/c all languages change. Just read Chaucer or Shakespeare to see that.
2006-07-06 13:57:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not dead as in very.. very gone.. it lives. As you say, it is the root of most modern day languages, my friend. I wish to learn Latin.. I consider it a beautiful language.. ami amas amat..
2006-07-06 13:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Latin did not die. Latin evolved into French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian, etc.
2006-07-06 16:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by Taivo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
t's said to be "dead" because it's not a "vernacular" language anymore! It's not used at home or in any official speeches. it's a studied language now!
2006-07-06 15:16:13 · answer #10 · answered by fabee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋