Re: Off-Topic: English

Helena Bowles wrote:

> Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen wrote:

>> You can get into English quite easily, but it's a hideous struggle to
>> become fluent. For me, I would recommend German; learn a few rules and
>> you're away, so much better than the sloppiness of French, or the dire
>> complexity of Latin.

> As someone who learned Latin -

As did I, both Latin Language and Latin Literature.


> it *really* helps in mastering English

And it's a great help in pub quizzes where one doesn't know the answer.


> because it's rules are relatively straightforward and most of received
> English Grammar is based on Latin Grammar ( the famous example is the
> split infinitive. In English one does not say "to boldly go..." but
> "boldly to go..." or "to go boldly..." Why? When as we all *know* "to
> boldly go..." sounds So Much Better.

At least when William Shatner says it.


> Because in Latin the infinitive is a single word and so *cannot* be
> split. A great deal of English Grammar relies on this "logic" making
> Latin very useful in mastering English.)

It certainly does; though Latin has its own nightmares, best exemplified
by this wonderful scene from "Life of Brian", and spot the error...

CENTURION: (Catching Brian writing graffiti on the palace wall) What's
this, then? "Romanes eunt domus"? People called Romanes, they
go, the house?
BRIAN: It says "Romans go home".
CENTURION: No it doesn't! What's the Latin for "Roman"? Come on, come on!
BRIAN: Er, "Romanus"?
CENTURION: Vocative plural of "Romanus" is?
BRIAN: Er, er, "Romani"!
CENTURION: (Writes "Romani" over Brian's graffiti) "Eunt"? What is "eunt"?
Conjugate the verb, "to go"!
BRIAN: Er, "ire". Er, "eo, is, it, imus, itis, eunt".
CENTURION: So, "eunt" is?
BRIAN: Third person plural present indicative, "they go".
CENTURION: But "Romans go home" is an order. So you must use...? (He
twists Brian's ear.)
BRIAN: Aaargh! The imperative!
CENTURION: Which is?
BRIAN: Aaaargh! Er, er, "i"!
CENTURION: How many Romans?
BRIAN: Aaaaargh! Plural, plural, er, "ite"!
CENTURION: (Writes "ite" on the wall) "Domus"? Nominative? "Go home" is
motion towards, isn't it?
BRIAN: Dative! (The Centurion holds a sword to his throat) Aaargh! Not the
dative, not the dative! Er, er, accusative, "Domum"!
CENTURION: But "Domus" takes the locative, which is...?
BRIAN: Er, "Domum"!
CENTURION: (Writes "Domum") Understand? Now, write it out a hundred times.
BRIAN: Yes sir. Thank you, sir. Hail Caesar, sir.
CENTURION: Hail Caesar! And if it's not done by sunrise, I'll cut your
balls off.


> Incidentally, agree with your other arguments.

Thankyou, Helena!


Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen

--
Free Margaret Blaine now!

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Latin for "Come with me"?
    ... What's the latin for "Roman"? ... Brian: Er, "Romanus"! ... Centurion: ... But, "Romans, go home" is an order. ...
    (rec.arts.drwho)
  • Re: Your Dream Smoking Room!
    ... CENTURION: What's this, then? ... BRIAN: It-- it says, 'Romans, go home'. ... Not the dative, sir! ...
    (alt.smokers.cigars)
  • Re: Well as from today ...
    ... indicative - and the plurals of the past indicative and the past ... Centurion: What is this then? ... Brian It-it says, "Romans, go home"! ... Brian: Dative, sir! ...
    (uk.rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: Inaccuracies in Al Gores An Inconvenient Truth
    ... Brian: Er, "Romanus". ... Centurion: ... But, "Romans, go home" is an order. ... Brian: Yes sir. ...
    (soc.culture.irish)
  • Re: Well as from today ...
    ... indicative - and the plurals of the past indicative and the past ... Centurion: What is this then? ... Brian It-it says, "Romans, go home"! ... Brian: Dative, sir! ...
    (uk.rec.motorcycles)