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Learning Latin through Multiple Mediums | ||
Tags: Latin | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Learning Techniques, Methods & Strategies |  | |
| Rhesus Newbie United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 4570 days ago 6 posts - 8 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Latin | Message 1 of 19 27 August 2013 at 12:22am | IP Logged | ||
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After four disappointing semesters of Latin at university, I had little proficiency to show for my efforts. As such, I
recently decided to take up the language again, teaching myself from a variety of resources. Below is the "system" I have implemented: First, I review a "chunk" of vocabulary using the flashcard iPhone app "Brainscape." Immediately following this, I complete all the grammatical and translation exercises in a chapter of Shelmerdine's Introduction to Latin (checking and correcting with the answer key, as needed). Following this, I read a chapter of Lingua Latina: Familia Romana. During this reading, I do my best not to translate anything, but instead practice sight-reading as well as reinforce my understanding of grammar through a "natural" means. Immediately after reading the chapter, I listen to the audiobook of the same chapter, concentrating on understanding (again, not translating) the story. Next I write about one page of Latin making use of the vocabulary which I have just reviewed. What I write is at best childish, but more often utter nonsense, though I do feel that the practice in composing from scratch, rather than translating from English, is doing a lot to reinforce my use of expectations and understandings of the language. (If it is of interest, when I compose, I do make use of macrons.) Lastly, I read about three pages of unaltered, original Latin literature. These I draw from Hadas and Suits' Latin Selections/Florilegium Latinum: A Dual Language Book. While I still cannot translate, much less sight-read these selections, I do my best to make out what I can, and then turn to the facing English translation to make sense of it. I do this to get experience of "real" Latin and seeing how Latin authors themselves used the language. _____ So, what say you? Do you believe that this is an effective system for learning a language? Would you add something? Do you believe one of these activities is not worthwhile? Furthermore, should these activities be done in one sitting or would I be better served to divide these activities throughout my day? Your advice is greatly appreciated. Vale! 3 persons have voted this message useful | |||
 jeff_lindqvist Diglot Moderator SwedenRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 6707 days ago 4250 posts - 5710 votes  Speaks: Swedish*, English Studies: German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Mandarin, Esperanto, Irish, French Personal Language Map | Message 2 of 19 27 August 2013 at 1:26am | IP Logged | ||
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This sounds great. Whatever level you're at, you might find the currect activity boring or useless. Changing activity is often a good idea. Whether it's best to spread them throughout the day or do everything at once, it's hard to tell. Maybe it doesn't matter. If you can manage to do them all in one sitting, why not at least try it for a couple of days.
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| Teango Triglot Winner TAC 2010 & 2012 Senior Member United States teango.wordpress.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5354 days ago 2210 posts - 3734 votes Speaks: English*, German, Russian Studies: Hawaiian, French, Toki Pona | Message 3 of 19 27 August 2013 at 7:42am | IP Logged | ||
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Sounds like a good plan, Rhesus! I listen and read Lingua Latina in bitesize sections each day, as I quite like Hans Orberg's voice on the recordings. Incidentally, which chapter are you up to in "Familia Romana", and how are you enjoying it so far?
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 Iversen Super Polyglot Moderator Denmark berejst.dk Joined 6501 days ago 9078 posts - 16473 votes Speaks: Danish*, French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Esperanto, Romanian, Catalan Studies: Afrikaans, Greek, Norwegian, Russian, Serbian, Icelandic, Latin, Irish, Lowland Scots, Indonesian, Polish, Croatian Personal Language Map | Message 4 of 19 27 August 2013 at 10:23am | IP Logged | ||
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I suppose that Dual language book has original texts with reasonably literal translations? Else you should include some bilingual editions in your study plan - they are just the thing you need if you almost, but not quite can read Latin texts freely. I can understand that you try to avoid translating while you read, but then you can run through a paragraph or so in translation before you turn to the same paragaph in Latin. The consequence of almost, but not quite being able to read a text is that you get tired, you skip the details and the total meaning becomes one big fuzzy blob without fixed contours. Then it is better to integrate a translation into your study routine, but in a way where you still get the experience of reading at least a paragraph or two directly from the page. And understand it.
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| Rhesus Newbie United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 4570 days ago 6 posts - 8 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Latin | Message 5 of 19 28 August 2013 at 2:20am | IP Logged | ||
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Thanks, Jeff! I've found myself doing the first three activities in one sitting then saving the fourth for later in the day.
It seems to serve me well enough! Tac Winner, I completed "Capitulum V" this morning. I'm still beginning with this new system, and just found Lingua Latina. It was exactly what I was looking for in trying to find Latin texts which I could read without translating. As for the audio, I greatly enjoy listening to the chapter right after I read it, but Orberg's recordings are not ideal. Iversen, indeed, the authors claim to provide a faithful yet idiomatic translation. Having taken Latin in college, I can recognize nuances of the translation, appreciating the meaning of the original Latin text. These works are not ones which I attempt to read without translation, as I would be utterly incapable of that. I often do as you recommend, reading a section in English and then turning to Latin and deciphering the original. 1 person has voted this message useful | |||
| Luso Hexaglot Senior Member Portugal Joined 5859 days ago 819 posts - 1812 votes Speaks: Portuguese*, French, EnglishC2, GermanB1, Italian, Spanish Studies: Sanskrit, Arabic (classical) | Message 6 of 19 28 August 2013 at 5:26am | IP Logged | ||
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You will forgive me for the tongue-in-cheek comment, but I couldn't help but notice that the thread's title is "Learning Latin through Multiple Mediums".
Given the theme, shouldn't it be "Learning Latin through Multiple Media"? :P Once again, I apologise, but I couldn't resist. 2 persons have voted this message useful | |||
| Rhesus Newbie United StatesRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 4570 days ago 6 posts - 8 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Latin | Message 7 of 19 28 August 2013 at 6:04am | IP Logged | ||
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Luso, though my usage can be considered correct, as a Latinist, I admit to your comment.
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| Teango Triglot Winner TAC 2010 & 2012 Senior Member United States teango.wordpress.comRegistered users can see my Skype Name Joined 5354 days ago 2210 posts - 3734 votes Speaks: English*, German, Russian Studies: Hawaiian, French, Toki Pona | Message 8 of 19 28 August 2013 at 8:58am | IP Logged | ||
It all depends on whether you consider Latin a dead language... ;) 4 persons have voted this message useful |
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