Should Latin be taught in British schools?

[Chris Perkins]

Only our ancient forefathers communicated using Latin, no one speaks or writes with it now.

It used to be taught quite widely in British schools, but nowadays is important only for Biologists at A Level and above. Should Latin be part of the national curriculum, so that kids can enrich their lingual skills and get an idea about where many modern English words derive from?

Or is it a complete waste of time, with no possible use in later life whatsoever?

Your votes and opinions please.....

[Geoff T]

As one who did do Latin, I can see the arguments pro et contra. Latin grammar does encourage a certain mental discipline, but then so do heavlily inflected modern languages like German and Russian. At the same time I think it's a valid argument to say you want to learn something for the sake of learning it, regardless of how useful it is in real terms.

I don't regret doing Latin. It's been very useful in a musical context; I'm forever helping students who have to sing in a language they know little about. I think the sensible answer is to say that in an ideal education system the opportunity should at least be there, even if you choose not to take advantage of it.

Geoff

PS - Thorough grounding in Roman numerals on pain of detention should be compulsory for all those on e-Bay who can't tell their George IV from their George VI...

[Emperor Oli]

I did Latin for three years and thorougly enjoyed it. Besides just doing the language, in our text book, Classical Civilisation was interwoven which was/is extremely interesting. I think I have benefited; I can speak it fluently and know where lots of English words have their roots. However, I do think if Latin was to be put on the Curriculum, Classical Greek should also be on (I know that too ). There is a certain mystique with extinct languages that makes them entertaining to study.

[Geoff T]

Was it Dan Quayle or Dubya who said - lingua EX gena - that he wanted to learn Latin to be able to speak to Latin Americans?

Geoff

[Chris Perkins]

Sounds like a Dubya quote to me! In fact I'm pretty sure of it.

Don't start me off on that man, I'll probably offend a whole heard of his followers (pun intended).

[Guest custard1966]

This made me think of a scene from Life of Brian...

"Romanes Eunt Domus"

http://karljahn.tripod.com/lang/romanes.htm

[Raoul]

I think latin has no use these days, if a language is taught to our kids it should be one that will help them, like Japanese,they are all over the world these days and knowing the language will help us in business and trade.

Raoul

[Chris Perkins]

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on what way you look at it) English really is the global language, and although other languages are very important, and to learn them certainly broadens horizons...If English is your first language you perhaps have less need to learn another.

I'm finding German very difficult, I suppose partly because of lack of time, and not actually needing to speak German every day. I'm also not very disciplined, and like George I, I just can't be bothered even though I know it has to be done!

[Emperor Oli]

It's easy once you get the hang of their annoying habit of compounding words. Just look up the word speed limit and you'll see what I mean!