How cool is that?
In the last two days, I have attempted to answer two requests for help with Latin titles/inscriptions. The fact that I can still kinda sorta do that amazes me. I mean, I took Latin my Freshman and Sophomore years in High School -- sometime back in the Cretaceous.
Ah, well, what we learn early, we learn best. AND, they did a heckuva better job teaching languages back then in HS than they do now, I think.
My German (undergraduate study) remains better than my Latin. But my Latin is probably marginally better than my (seminary) Greek. Meanwhile, I can read Old English passably well, as well as puzzle out some stuff in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese (mostly because of Latin study), Dutch, Norwegian, and Danish (because of German and OE study). I could probably browse a newspaper in these languages. I can recognize a little (mostly cognates) in Swedish and Russian. Hebrew (in Roman transliteration) is a matter of buzz-words only. I can exchange pleasantries and ask for a toilet, etc., in Swahili.
Meanwhile, I have friends who send me greetings in Irish and Klingon, respectively.
Ah, well, what we learn early, we learn best. AND, they did a heckuva better job teaching languages back then in HS than they do now, I think.
My German (undergraduate study) remains better than my Latin. But my Latin is probably marginally better than my (seminary) Greek. Meanwhile, I can read Old English passably well, as well as puzzle out some stuff in Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese (mostly because of Latin study), Dutch, Norwegian, and Danish (because of German and OE study). I could probably browse a newspaper in these languages. I can recognize a little (mostly cognates) in Swedish and Russian. Hebrew (in Roman transliteration) is a matter of buzz-words only. I can exchange pleasantries and ask for a toilet, etc., in Swahili.
Meanwhile, I have friends who send me greetings in Irish and Klingon, respectively.