why do people use Latin when answering questions in English Y!A?

Question

does it make them look clever or are they deluding themselves?
some clever dik answerd one of my qustions in latin and said if i understood latin then i would understand what he/she/it/thing wrote?

Answer 1

It's against the C&T to answer in another language - yet strangely you seem to know what they said anyway ! ! !

Answer 2

Latin is the language of ancient Rome, the Roman Empire, and of the educated medieval European society. It belongs to the family of Indo-European languages. Its earliest written records are inscriptions and legal formulas of the late 6th Century BC. As Rome extended its rule throughout Italy, Latin gained supremacy. The richest phrase of Latin Literature was the Augustinian age. Spoken latin was used throughout the Roman Empire.

Obviously there are famous latin phrases used by famous Greek philosophers. That's why some used it to impress the person but it is ironic to answer in all Latin if the aker is not well verse in Latin. Then the answer will be useless. It would be very appreciative if a translation was made in English since your question was in English. Don't be too emotional about it because you cannot please everybody here. Just be patient or e-mail the person and be corteous to ask it to translate it in English with all the due respect.

Thanks for asking. Have a great day!

Answer 3

Whether you like to admit it or not, Latin is the base from which many modern languages come -- English included. A large percent of English words are based etymologically on Latin precursors. The person who is using Latin in his English is not weakening the English language, but actually strengthening it by bringing it back to its roots.

Perhaps you would do well to learn some Latin. Then you will understand why it is so important.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

Answer 4

Sometimes stuff gets lost in translation. Like if you translated, "It's raining cats and dogs," literally to non-English speakers, than they might think that you were clinically insane. That's an extreme example.

One more: in Ancient Greek there are four words that are all translated as "love." Agape, philos, storge, and eros. Each word has it's own nuance, but for some reason we don't have an English equivalent for each word.

Agape: unconditional love
Philos: friendly love
Storge: familial love
Eros: sensual love

Or that guy was just being a punk.

Answer 5

It was a stupid answer - some people jusy have a warped sense of humor. You were asking for philosophical definitions for time. It basically said (in poor Latin) Time, not a penis, endures. It had an extra non, which made no sense at all.

Answer 6

personally i think to understand latin is quite cool. but you cannot show off in normal conversation, so maybe this is the reason they write something in the answers. and perhaps it cant translate. better look in a positive way.
i did enjoy watching fathers talk in latin when exorcist in horror movie.

Answer 7

They're obviously trying to be as helpful as possible. I mean what's more helpful than a language most of us don't understand?

Anyway, they probably used a translator, trying to seem clever. But anybody can copy and paste writing from a translator.

Answer 8

In fact, we are not supposed to answer a question here on Answers in a foreign language. For example, if you are on Yahoo!France, you are expected to write your questions and answers in French. Anything else is considered a viiolation.

I was reported once for answering in Italian; I did not know the rule. I was so proud of myself, since I barely speak Italian, but someone blew the whistle !

Answer 9

A well-educated person might use a Latin phrase in her/his conversation, but only a boor would answer a question in that ancient language, unless speaking to another academic.

Answer 10

Noblesse oblige - that's' French if you're wondering.
Information pro bono - which means I wont be sending you a bill, and that is Latin.