influence of latin in English?

Question

Hi, I am an Italian student and i need some suggestions for my thesis.
I am conducting a research about the influence of latin in English, mainly
from the legal point of view. For this reason I am looking for a legal text
( it could be of any kind, an act, a bill...) which could be of help and
which I can use as an example for my theory.
Could any of you give me recommendations about where I could find it or
interesting details about this subject?
Many thanx

Answer 1

Here is a list of Latin words used in the English legal system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legal_Latin_terms. the use of Latin in English courts has now been abolished (Lord Justice Woolf felt it made the law more accessible to the populace and he was also the head of the committee that reformed civil law and excised many of the remaining Latin terms from English law, in an attempt to make it more accessible, such as changing the ancient word 'plaintiff' to the 'claimant' The Civil Procedure Rules 1998 are a direct result of his work. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2188129.stmWhile
There appears to be no such prohibition in the USA. http://www.uklegal.com/articles/latin.htm http://modena.intergate.ca/personal/gslj/wordsfromlatin.html#LEGAL
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:fyW1vrGSWioJ:www.oup.co.uk/pdf/helawcat06/els.pdf+woolf+use+of+latin+english+law&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ushttp://www.utexas.edu/law/faculty/wschiess/legalwriting/2005/06/avoid-unnecessary-latin.html

Answer 2

Anna, Latin influenced English in almost all aspects of its linguistics. Most of the words we know in English, very common or very rare, derived somehow from Latin. Car, for exemple, derives from the word 'carrus', Latin. Almost all the scientific terms (and with scientific I mean all the professional terms) have a Latin or Greek roots, mostly Latin. I sugges you to buy an Etimological dictionary, in which you'll notice that English and Latin are more related than you could imagine. If you think, the Romans conquered Britain, bringing not just their Army, but also their culture and, so, language. If you want to find Latin influences in English words, always remember to look at the root of the word, and remember that, sometimes, English words differ from Latin words just for the different way of writing the same words. Although, the very root is almost always the same. Many English speaking people think that, just because the word is spelled in a different way, it's English. Not true. Good luck!

Answer 3

Anna S, first of all, I'd like to say that I am no linguist, nor do I have a degree in Etymology. But I do know that English is largely derived from Latin. Answers.com did an estimate, and they came up with around 50% of Latin influence in English.

The links below might provide some help, especially the second link. The second link is a bit long, but contains useful information. Currently, I am in the process of reading it, and from what I have read so far, it all seems to be very informative.

Answer 4

Dear Anna,
ciao bella!
Prego:
English is infused with many Latin words, Greek and French also- but both these derive much from Latin.
Try the following texts- many have been written on LAtin in English.
For a legal document- try
http://www.netlawman.co.uk/

and also:
http://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/docs_e.htm

Answer 5

I was slightly confused by your question at first but I think I understand it, you mean you would like a legal document or bill that would use words of Latin origen, so that you could actually find lots of Latin words, from the end of the 6th Century AD when the Monks and Missionaries came bringing Latin words of Learning and religion (School, pope, candle, minister, verse, mass) or are you looking for renaissance latin words from the 15th and 16th Centuries? where the influx was also of Greek words, or are you looking for the French words that came after 1066 (the words that today are used in legal and government terms, Sovereign, court, govern, advise) or perhaps you are looking for modern words that are still being plucked from Latin and Greek (those particularly in science) good luck but to be honest i think you´ll find you see and use Latin Words in English everyday, don´t miss the point and drive yourself mad for looking. Latin is everywhere.

Answer 6

Hi Anna!
Do you mean latin terms in legalese like "res ipsa loquitur", or are you talking about the latin roots of words that we recognise as English? It might help if you gave us a bit more information about your thesis.
I recognise that nick ... your question on Answers Italia last night is missing a vital word at the end ... you need qualche "what"? Do you want to try asking it again? Let me know if you need a hand.
Ciao, Cosimo (anche in Answers Italia)

Answer 7

my son is learning latin in school, but he's asleep at the moment, or i would have asked him to help you. the english language is full of latin words. take away latin and the wonderful language of english will fall to pieces.