Why I Study Latin at Exeter

When I tell people that I study Latin, the answer I typically get is something along the lines of, “Why would you do that to yourself?” To those people, studying Latin, especially in a program as rigorous as the one here at Exeter, is useless suffering to master a dead language with no practical usage in the modern world. Not only is that notion false, it's rude to question my judgement for dedicating my time to the classics. Though Latin is no longer commonly used in the form that is studied, there is purpose to its study.Ancient Rome has had an enormous impact on modern Western culture. There is no better way to examine this influence and, in a greater sense, study how the past can shape the future than through the study of Latin. By studying classical rhetorical texts such as Cicero's orations against Cataline and the writings of an iconic historic figure such as Julius Caesar, I have been able to see how the Roman Civilization continues to impact our world. Literary devices and writing styles developed by classical authors are still used today. By studying Roman tactical, diplomatic and governmental styles and Roman philosophy in their original form (i.e. in Latin) we can draw parallels and understand the impact of one society on another. At Exeter, we are particularly lucky that the influence of Rome on our society is further explored outside of Latin classes.Studying Latin has also allowed me to gain a greater understanding of English grammar, structure and usage. Without studying other languages, it is easy to use words without properly understanding their meanings and impact. Latin has allowed me to better understand the power of words in examining how Roman authors write and in comparing translations. Seeing how sentences and meanings can change based off of small differences in word choice and order in Latin texts has allowed me to view English in a different light. In studying how great Roman authors arrange and choose their words, I have learned skills and devices that I can apply to my own writing. Cicero is still considered to be one of the most skilled speakers of all time, and examining his original Latin text enabled a greater understaning of his language. Studying Latin vocabulary has also helped me learn the origins of many English words and phrases and has allowed me to expand my English vocabulary and to understand how languages grow and change. I now have a deeper understanding of how I speak English and what I say.The rigorous Latin program here has also given me skills that I can apply to any challenge I may face throughout my life by pushing me to study and discover. Although I have never particularly enjoyed math, I can still see its value beyond basic life applications as it teaches our brains how to solve problems, a skill that can be applied to any facet of life. Similarly, studying Latin has taught me many life skills. When my work is hard and stressful, but I eventually finish, it teaches me to persevere and push through. When I have the pieces of a sentence but can't figure out how they piece together, I learn to problem solve and think outside the box. When I memorize verb endings and noun forms I develop the part of my brain dedicated to rote memorization, a tedious but useful task. While those all have nothing to do directly with the information studied in taking Latin, they still are part of the value of a classical education.Regardless of whether someone sees the same value in Latin as I do, as a community of people who supposedly value knowledge and passion, it is important that we all support and encourage each other in our pursuits for knowledge. The many advantages to the study of classical languages are clear to myself and many others. That itself should be enough for the practice of Latin to be encouraged. Value in learning comes from many places, and it is important to acknowledge that.