Product Description

Reading Latin is a Latin course designed to help mature beginners read Latin fluently and intelligently, primarily in the context of classical culture, but with some mediaeval Latin too. It does this in three ways; it encourages reading of continuous texts from the start; it offers generous help with translation at every stage; and it integrates the learning of Classical Latin with an appreciation of the influence of the Latin language upon English and European culture from Antiquity to the present. The text, richly illustrated, consists at the start of carefully graded adaptations from original Classical Latin texts. The adaptations are gradually phased out until unadultered prose and verse can be read. The Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises volume supplies all the help needed to do this, together with a range of reinforcing exercises for each section, including English into Latin for those who want it. At the end of each section, a selection of Latin epigrams, mottoes, quotations, everyday Latin, word-derivations, examples of mediaeval Latin and discussions of the influence of Latin upon English illustrate the language’s impact on Western culture. Reading Latin is principally designed for university and adult beginners, and also for sixth-formers (eleventh and twelth graders in the USA). It is also ideal for those people who may have learned Latin many years ago, and wish to renew their acquaintance with the language. Its companion course, Reading Greek is one of the most widely used mature beginners’ courses in the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16843 in Books
• Published on: 1986-08-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Synopsis
Reading Latin is a Latin course designed to help mature beginners read Latin fluently and intelligently, primarily in the context of classical culture, but with some mediaeval Latin too. It does this in three ways; it encourages reading of continuous texts from the start; it offers generous help with translation at every stage; and it integrates the learning of Classical Latin with an appreciation of the influence of the Latin language upon English and European culture from Antiquity to the present. The text, richly illustrated, consists at the start of carefully graded adaptations from original Classical Latin texts. The adaptations are gradually phased out until unadultered prose and verse can be read. The Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises volume supplies all the help needed to do this, together with a range of reinforcing exercises for each section, including English into Latin for those who want it. At the end of each section, a selection of Latin epigrams, mottoes, quotations, everyday Latin, word-derivations, examples of mediaeval Latin and discussions of the influence of Latin upon English illustrate the language's impact on Western culture.Reading Latin is principally designed for university and adult beginners, and also for sixth-formers (eleventh and twelth graders in the USA).

It is also ideal for those people who may have learned Latin many years ago, and wish to renew their acquaintance with the language. Its companion course, Reading Greek is one of the most widely used mature beginners' courses in the world.

Customer Reviews

Excellent
This is the companion volume to Reading Latin: Grammar, Vocabulary, Exercises (GVE), and there is an independent Study Guide which isn't necessary but is extremely useful, so you do need to get the full set. As reviwer Grainger below has said, the text doesn't contain translations but these ARE in the independent study guide together with the answers to all the exercises in GVE. If you're learning alone (or even in a class) the 3rd volume is therefore indispensable.

The Text is brilliant if you're interested in classical latin since it includes 'real' (though initially adapted) latin from authors such as Plautus, Cicero, Sallust, Caesar, Vergil and Catullus. With the help of the GVE you'll be reading Plautus from day 1, and will be moving on to Cicero (unadapted but the more difficult passages cut out) and Sallust by year 2.

To get a rough guide, this course takes about 2 years (more flexible obviously if you're learning alone) and covers what approximates to a GCSE in the first year (sections 1-3) and an A-level in the 2nd year (section 4-6), or the equivalent of Beginners (year 1) and Intermediate (year 2) latin at university.

For me the real value of this text is that it's short and light enough to carry around (unlike the hefty GVE!) so that you can read/re-read the texts on the Tube or wherever to really reinforce both your vocabulary and sense of latin as a language.

As other reviewers have mentioned this isn't a frivolous, lets-have-fun approach to learning latin, it expects commitment and hard work on the part of the student. But if you really do want to learn latin then I recommend this absolutely above any of the more 'fun' approaches.

No Translations Make the Book Useless
This book contains all the Latin texts that relate to the other two books in the series, 'Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises' and the 'Study Guide'. However, I'm surprised that none of the other reviewers have commented that the Text book contains no translations for the exercises. This makes the book, in my view, all but useless to the student. How can a student know if he or she has translated the text correctly without being able to check against a 'model answer'? Clearly they can't, rendering this book a waste of money. This is a serious omission by the Peter Jones and Keith Sidwell who produced this course.

Intimidating but excellent
First thing first . Learning latin is not an easy task, and this is by far not the kind of language you can master with a minimum of work and effort. It has a lot of grammar and mastering its syntaxis can be daunting task.
Having said that, if your goal is simply to have a basic knowledge of latin and have a bit of fun along the way.. sorry but get another textbook, like the hilarious serie "So, You Really want to learn Latin" or the great "Cambridge Latin course".
Now ...
If you have decided to tackle Latin and give it some time, efforts and concentration, then this book along with its companion volumes "Reading Latin : Grammar, vocabulary and exercices" and the very helpful companion self study guide "Reading Latin : A self study guide" is all you will ever need to be able to get a very good knowledge of the language;
Yes, I admit, when I got these 3 books in front of me, my first reaction was " OK.. now. what am I supposed to do with them ??? " .
Just read the introductions.. it will all fall into place, and before you know it, you'll get your head down, reading and understanding the first lesson.

I must say that the grammarical explanations are easy to understand, even if you're not used to learning a new language.. There are loads of exercices to practice, what you've just learned, and the self study guidebook helps you through the whole process.. which means that, unless you're not really paying attention to what you've been studying, it's very hard to get lost and give up.. because, no matter what mistakes you're making or whatever the problem is.. you can easily go back to it and give it a secund look..

Yes, it is a classical study book, so no coloured pictures in it, it s all in black and white and it is also, a bit of an investment to make..

But if you're REALLY eager to read Cicero, Cesar, Virgil or any medieval writers in its original language.. then don't look anywhere else.. This is the textbook to get