Latin language: Difference between revisions
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'''Latin''' is the language which was the dominant medium of communication in [[Europe]] during the ascendancy of the [[Roman Empire]]. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the Ninth Century, it remains important in a number of areas. The [[Romance language]]s (among them [[Spanish]], [[French]], [[Italian]], and [[Portuguese]]) have evolved from Latin, and the [[English]] language, having borrowed from these, especially from [[Norman French]] and Latin itself, similarly has a highly Latinate vocabulary. Latin terminology is still used in the [[science]]s, particularly in [[medicine]], as well as in [[law]]. It is also the liturgical language of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] | '''Latin''' is the language which was the dominant medium of communication in [[Europe]] during the ascendancy of the [[Roman Empire]]. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the Ninth Century, it remains important in a number of areas. The [[Romance language]]s (among them [[Spanish]], [[French]], [[Italian]], and [[Portuguese]]) have evolved from Latin, and the [[English]] language, having borrowed from these, especially from [[Norman French]] and Latin itself, similarly has a highly Latinate vocabulary. Latin terminology is still used in the [[science]]s, particularly in [[medicine]], as well as in [[law]]. It is also the liturgical language of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. | ||
Latin is a highly [[synthetic language]], using many [[suffixes]] to indicate concerns such as number, gender, formality, possession, and tense. Adding these endings is called [[conjugating]] for [[verbs]] and[[declining]] for [[nouns]] and [[adjectives]], more formally [[conjugation]] and [[declension]]. | Latin is a highly [[synthetic language]], using many [[suffixes]] to indicate concerns such as [[number}}, [[grammatical gender|gender]], [[formality]], [[possession]], and [[tense]]. Adding these endings is called [[conjugating]] for [[verbs]] and[[declining]] for [[nouns]] and [[adjectives]], more formally [[conjugation]] and [[declension]]. | ||
Revision as of 17:30, 17 October 2007
Latin is the language which was the dominant medium of communication in Europe during the ascendancy of the Roman Empire. Although widespread use of the tongue had declined by the Ninth Century, it remains important in a number of areas. The Romance languages (among them Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese) have evolved from Latin, and the English language, having borrowed from these, especially from Norman French and Latin itself, similarly has a highly Latinate vocabulary. Latin terminology is still used in the sciences, particularly in medicine, as well as in law. It is also the liturgical language of the Roman Catholic Church.
Latin is a highly synthetic language, using many suffixes to indicate concerns such as [[number}}, gender, formality, possession, and tense. Adding these endings is called conjugating for verbs anddeclining for nouns and adjectives, more formally conjugation and declension.