Basics of Latin

A Grammar with Readings and Exercises from the Christian Tradition

Derek Cooper

• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780310539001
• Topic: Lingue e linguistica
• Subtopic: Lingue antiche

Basics of Latin: A Grammar with Readings and Exercises from the Christian Tradition by Derek Cooper introduces students, independent learners, and homeschoolers to the basics of Latin grammar with all readings and exercises taken from texts in the Christian tradition.

As part of the widely-used Zondervan Language Basics series of resources, Cooper's Latin grammar is a student-friendly introduction. It helps students learn by:

• Minimizing technical jargon
• Providing only the information needed to learn the basics
• Breaking the grammar of language down into manageable and intuitive chunks
• Illustrating the grammar in question by its use in rich selections from ancient Christian authors.
• Providing grammar, readings, exercises, and a lexicon all in one convenient volume.

Basics of Latin provides an ideal first step into this important language and focuses on getting the student into texts and translation as quickly as possible.

APPENDIX I

Exercitia

Welcome to the practice portion of this book! The exercises below correspond to each of the chapters already discussed. For instance, Capitulum I corresponds to Exercitium I. I recommend completing the exercise that corresponds to each chapter before turning to the next chapter. When completing the exercises, simply follow the instructions and do your best. I often provide examples as well as footnotes to help you, but it is good practice to have a Latin dictionary always available (there are many free online Latin dictionaries).¹

Because I always provide you with the exact source of a sentence, you are encouraged to locate these sentences online if you would like more context or want to translate larger sections. This is especially the case since, as I have said frequently in the book, context is key to understanding Latin properly. This means that you may not automatically understand the intent of every author or the exact point being discussed. What is more, not every sentence provided is a complete sentence. No matter—the encouraging news is that you should have the necessary component parts to make a suitable translation even if it does not translate into a complete and grammatically correct English sentence. If you get stuck, however, you can turn to the answer key or look up the passage online to better ascertain the context of the writing. One more note: it goes without saying that there are multiple acceptable ways to translate most any sentence, so do not be concerned if your translations do not perfectly mirror mine. This will particularly be evident when translating the Convertendum in Anglicum, or “English Translation” section at the end of each exercise.

Whereas all of the Latin in the book chapters are coded with diacritics like acute accents and macra to encourage consistent and accurate pronunciation, none of the Latin in the exercises below contain diacritics since primary works do not contain them. This will be excellent practice for you as you prepare to read primary Latin texts on your own. As you read more Latin without diacritics, I still recommend that you pronounce the Latin out loud or in your head before completing your translation.

EXERCITIUM I: Nouns and Prepositions

I. Prepositions. Translate the underlined preposition. As you do so, keep in mind three important things. First, the goal of these exercises is to reinforce concepts discussed in the chapter. Focus on what you can answer, not the words and concepts that you have not yet learned. (We all have to start somewhere.) Second, as mentioned in the instructions, not every sentence below is a complete sentence. Finally, because Latin does not have English words like “a,” “an,” or “the,” and because there are sometimes multiple acceptable ways to translate a single word into English, it is unrealistic to expect identical translations for every question. So, do not be concerned if your translation does not perfectly match the number or size of the spaces allocated. Your focus should be providing an accurate translation, not worrying about whether your translation fits the number and size of the spaces.

Exemplum.2 Deinde ad exitus viarum servi diriguntur. (Werner of St. Blaise)3

From that place the servants are directed to the exits of the ways.

1. Qui post hoc annum non supervixit. (Rudolph of St. Trudo)⁴

And he did not survive _________ this year.

2. Quomodo enim, si non Dominus adsit, contra archangelum caro pugnet? (Bede)⁵

For how, if the Lord is not present, can flesh battle _________ the archangel?

3. Dedit autem Deus gratiam populo coram Aegyptiis. (Alonso Tostado)⁶

But God gave grace to the people _________ the Egyptians.

4. Et hoc facies ex potestate et ex misericordia. (St. Remigius)⁷

And you will do this ______________ power and _____________ mercy.

5. Nomen per gratiam Spiritus Sancti in baptismate funditur in cunctos fideles. (Glossa Ordinária)⁸

The name is poured out _________ (in) baptism _________ (per) the grace of the Holy Spirit to all the faithful.

II. Cases. Write in the blank line the case that best corresponds to the word(s) underlined, focusing on the prepositions (and not necessarily the accompanying words, which you may not recognize at this point). It may be helpful to review which pr...