Speaking Latin
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Can you speak Latin?
Most people believe Latin is a dead language, locked away in dusty textbooks. But imagine surprising your friends by speaking it fluently—just like English, French, or German. Yes, Latin isn’t just for reading ancient manuscripts; it’s alive, vibrant, and fully capable of expressing modern ideas.
But why stop at small talk? Latin is the perfect medium for deep, thought-provoking conversations about philosophy, art, and science. Speaking Latin isn’t just about mastering a language; it’s about stepping into the shoes of history’s greatest minds, breaking free from the mundane, and viewing the world from a new, elevated perspective.
Ready to challenge the norm? Experience the power of spoken Latin in our online courses. Soon, when asked, “Do you speak Latin?” you’ll confidently reply, Latine loquor—“I speak Latin.”
So, you want to speak Latin?
Many roads lead to Rome, but if you’re serious about speaking Latin fluently, here’s the direct route. It’s not just about mastering a dead language—it’s about reviving it, making it your own, and joining a global community of modern-day Romans.
Step 1: Seek Out Fellow Latin Speakers
Think Latin is spoken only in classrooms? Think again. In cities like New York, London, or Berlin, passionate groups regularly meet to practice spoken Latin. This is part of the rapidly growing “living Latin” movement. If you’re in Berlin, don’t miss our own Circulus Latinus Berolinensis—where Latin comes alive in conversation. Join our meetups and experience the thrill of speaking Latin in a modern context. Check out our upcoming events
Want to accelerate your progress? Our online courses are designed to help you confidently join these groups, providing you with the skills and knowledge to engage in Latin conversation from day one. Join us, and soon you’ll be speaking Latin fluently with fellow enthusiasts.
Step 2: Master the Basics
Whether you’re a school-taught Latinist or an absolute beginner, you need to get back to basics. Start by building a strong foundation in Latin grammar and vocabulary. We highly recommend Lingua Latina per se illustrata - Familia Romana.
What sets Familia Romana apart? It’s not your typical textbook—it’s a fully immersive experience. Written entirely in Latin, it teaches you to think in the language, with texts and dialogues that guide you naturally from understanding to fluency. It’s the closest you’ll get to learning Latin as if it were your native tongue.
This is the book we use in our courses because of its unmatched ability to help you internalize the language.
Step 3: Learn Everyday Latin
How do you say, “Let’s grab a coffee” in Latin? (Vin’ coffeam bibamus?) To truly speak Latin, you need to learn the phrases and vocabulary for everyday life. Here are some indispensable resources:
- Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency: Offers everyday dialogues in Latin with English translations. Be cautious, though—some phrases aren’t perfectly idiomatic.
- Corderius: Colloquia Scholastica: Short, practical dialogues about school and learning, as relevant today as when they were written in the 16th century.
- Comenius: Orbis Sensualium Pictus: timeless visual dictionary, this 17th-century classic teaches Latin nouns and verbs in context. It’s a must-have for building a rich Latin vocabulary.
Curious about learning Latin through podcasts, videos, or apps? Or even from shows like Barbarians? Beware: many online resources are riddled with errors. To avoid confusion, stick to trusted sources like Corderius and Comenius, where the Latin is flawless.
While everyday expressions aren’t the primary focus of my courses, as one of the most experienced Latin speakers worldwide, I regularly incorporate them into our sessions. By participating, you’ll naturally pick up these phrases and gain the confidence to use Latin in a variety of real-life situations.
Step 4: Elevate your Latin style
So, you’ve got the basics down and can hold a conversation in Latin. But why stop there? Now it’s time to refine your style and expand your vocabulary, mastering the nuances that distinguish a mere speaker from a true connoisseur of Latin. The key? Delve into the works of classical authors like Catullus, Plautus, and Cicero—giants whose words shaped the Roman Empire and continue to influence modern languages.
Here’s what we recommend to take your Latin to the next level:
• Plautus’ Comedies: Dive into the lively world of Plautus, where Latin slang and everyday expressions come alive in humorous dialogues. Amphitryo is a great place to start—it’s rich in colloquial language that will add color and authenticity to your Latin.
• Cicero’s Speeches: Cicero’s prose isn’t just Latin—it’s the gold standard of eloquence. His speeches, often addressed directly to the audience, are peppered with colloquial expressions that make them more than just formal rhetoric. They’re essential for anyone serious about mastering the art of Latin style.
• Erasmus’ Colloquia Familiaria: Written by Erasmus of Rotterdam, these witty and insightful dialogues were crafted in beautiful classical Latin. Beyond their linguistic value, they offer a window into Humanist thought, blending humor with profound ideas. If you want to think and speak like a true Renaissance scholar, these dialogues are indispensable.
For those ready to dive deeper, my literature classes for advanced learners are the perfect opportunity to explore these texts in greater depth. We analyze and discuss the works of classical authors, helping you refine your style and fully immerse yourself in the richness of Latin literature.
Step 5: Revel in the Mastery
Congratulations, you’ve made it. As you begin to speak Latin fluently, you’ll discover something remarkable: ancient texts will open up to you in ways you never imagined. No longer will you be chained to tedious grammar analysis or constant dictionary checks. Instead, you’ll find yourself reading Latin as naturally as your native language—understanding the essence of classical works at a glance.
By speaking Latin, you’re not just learning a language; you’re stepping into the shoes of the ancients, experiencing their thoughts, emotions, and ideas as they intended. You’ll live and breathe Latin, engaging with the literature on a deeper, more intuitive level. The words of Cicero, Plautus, and Catullus will come alive, not as distant relics of a bygone era, but as vibrant conversations that resonate across the centuries.
Enjoy the profound connection you now share with the past. You’re not just translating Latin—you’re living it.
Books from the series Lingua latina per se illustrata
(Photo: Casa editrice Vivarium novum)
Why should I learn to speak Latin?
You might wonder if learning to speak Latin still makes sense, given that the Latin-speaking population has nearly vanished. Modern European languages like French, German, and English have long replaced Latin as the official languages of their respective countries. Initially rough and primitive, these languages eventually matured, enabling scholars and scientists to discuss complex topics such as science, philosophy, and art without relying on Latin.
But before you dismiss Latin, consider this: for many centuries, Latin was the common language—the lingua franca—of the Western world, bridging diverse cultures and regions. While it’s true that your chances of encountering a Latin speaker in public today are slim, Latin’s legacy is all around us, from inscriptions on monuments to the very structure of the languages we speak.
More importantly, a vast portion of our literary heritage was originally composed in Latin and only later translated into modern tongues like English. By learning to speak Latin, you’re not just acquiring a language—you’re unlocking direct access to these classical texts in their original form.
For those ready to dive into this rich linguistic and cultural heritage, my courses offer a comprehensive path to mastering spoken Latin. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, you’ll gain the skills to engage with Latin as a living language and explore its profound influence on our world today.
Can You Truly Appreciate Latin Literature Without Speaking Latin? We don’t think so.
When you’re forced to translate a text sentence by sentence, the beauty and rhythm of authors like Cicero, Virgil, or Petrarch get lost in the process. Many of us were burdened with endless Latin conjugation and declension tables in school or university, turning the language into a chore rather than a joy. But when you speak Latin, you rediscover the pleasure of reading these classical works, connecting with them on a much deeper level.
Another compelling reason to learn spoken Latin is the global community you’ll join. In Latin classrooms—both real and virtual—you’ll meet fellow enthusiasts from Europe, the United States, South America, Africa, and Asia. Did you know that Latin is becoming increasingly popular in China? Many find it more enriching to socialize in Latin than in English, as Latin speakers share a common passion for the culture and history behind the language.
There’s also a growing trend towards “living Latin” in popular culture. For instance, the first two books of the Harry Potter series have been translated into Latin, and shows like Barbarians on Netflix feature Latin dialogue. However, these works are often plagued with grammatical and stylistic errors, as few people possess a sound knowledge of spoken Latin.
In our online classes, we teach authentic Latin—free from “barbarisms” and mispronunciations—ensuring that you learn the language as it was meant to be spoken. By joining us, you’ll not only embrace the “living Latin” trend but also bring greater authenticity to your understanding and use of this timeless language.
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The video shows one of the world's most fluent Latin speakers, Luigi Miraglia
What is the correct pronunciation for speaking Latin?
Some people are fixated on pronouncing Latin words exactly as the Romans did. But the truth is, we can’t be entirely sure how the Romans spoke. Our knowledge is based on theories—scientifically sound, yes—but still just theories. So, why chase an ideal that doesn’t necessarily enhance our practical use of Latin? We believe that cultivating a strong, elegant style of expression is far more valuable.
That being said, there are two main schools of thought when it comes to Latin pronunciation: the classical pronunciation and the ecclesiastical pronunciation. Here’s a quick overview of their key differences:
Classical Latin pronunciation
- The vowel combination ae is pronounced as two separate vowels, resembling the sound of uy in the Enlish word buy.
- The consonants c and g are pronounced hard, e.g. Cicero is pronounced like “keekero”.
- The consonant v is pronounced like wh in the English word what.
Ecclesiastical Latin pronunciation
- The vowel combination ae is pronounced as one long vowel, similar to the sound of a in the English word land.
- The consonants c and g are often pronounced soft, e.g. Cicero is pronounced like “cheechero”.
- The consonant v is pronounced like v in the English word vinegar.
Many of us mix the two pronunciation systems, and that’s fine. There is no single truth of how Latin should be pronounced. After all, the pronunciation of the language has changed throughout the ages. Choose the pronunciation that you are comfortable with and focus on improving your style and vocabulary rather than obsessing about pronunciation.
There is one important point that is not up to personal preference: the accent. You should take great care to place the accent where it belongs. For example, cónditum means “founded”, while condítum means “seasoned”! As you see, the position of the accent is crucial for distinguishing between similar words. If your goal is to speak Latin well, focus on the accent rather than the two systems of pronunciation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Latin speaking countries are there?
The only nation where Latin is an official language and spoken actively is the headquarters of the Catholic Church, the Vatican. As a consequence, there are no native Latin speakers. That said, you can find clubs and communities of people talking in Latin everywhere around the world. One example is our group based in Berlin, the Circulus Latinus Berolinensis, home to many fluent Latin speakers. In our spoken Latin classes, seminars and workshops, you can meet people from all over the world who enjoy having conversations in Latin.
How many people around the world speak Latin?
There are no official estimates of how many people speaking Latin there are. The Latin speaking community is small, but growing. According to our own estimates, there are around 2,000 people around the globe who can speak fluently, and many thousands more who are learning to do so. In recent years we have been observing a new trend towards spoken Latin. Social media like Facebook or Reddit make it easier for Latin speakers to form communities and cultivate the active use of the language.
Speaking Latin in school – is it possible?
Speaking Latin in school is not only possible, it is the best way to learn the language. In our experience, Latin students immersed in the language by speaking and listening learn faster and retain more of what they learned in memory. As a matter of fact, Latin can be taught in exactly the same way as a foreign language such as French or German. The acclaimed textbook Lingua Latina per se illustrata - Familia Romana follows this approach.
How many languages derived from Latin are there?
The Romance languages, e.g. French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, have developed from vulgar Latin. There are 44 Romance languages in total. Italian, and Sardinian in particular, is perceived by many to be the closest language to Latin. Non-Romance languages such as English or German have been strongly influenced by Latin as well. We rarely think of it, but all the aforementioned languages are united by their use of the Latin alphabet.