The Vatican's Website in Latin

Post by cwnyth » Thu, May 07, 2026, 12:36 PM UTC

vintermann wrote: post #58

efskap wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the perspective! I guess it depends on the outcomes in question If they're measured by traditional academic metrics (parsing, recalling declension tables, translating into English), then Wheelock's grammar-first approach really does optimize for that. On the other hand Ørberg optimizes more for reading fluency and intuitive comprehension, which is harder to measure on a standard Latin exam.

There's also the thing about "the best exercise plan is the one you actually follow". The direct method isn't "bunk", it's a very good method if you take into account that students don't have boundless enthusiasm and rote learning ability. I learned English with the direct method (the teacher was an old Esperantist free to do his own thing) and German with the traditional grammar memorization way, and I wouldn't be a…

Post by cwnyth » Thu, May 07, 2026, 12:42 PM UTC

golem14 wrote: post #65

cwnyth wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a former Latin instructor with literally decades of experience, I strongly recommend not relying solely on Ørberg. The outcomes of those who refused to supplement it with a proper grammar and dictionary were far, far behind those who used Wheelock alone. It's very popular online, but it's methodologically bunk.

As a former pupil that took 7+years of Latin, I think the probability of actually reading latin texts fluently today would have been orders of magnitude higher had instruction been coupled with Ørberg. I still want to be able to read hobbitus ille, but no thanks to my Latin classes (and I think I had decent teachers).

Post by FearNotDaniel » Thu, May 07, 2026, 1:03 PM UTC

dhosek wrote: post #48

Jtsummers wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Assuming they're Roman Catholic, to get married in the Church at least one of the couple needs to be Catholic and records of their baptism, confirmation, etc. would be shared between the individual's church and wherever they're getting married. You also run into this if you move around a lot, not just for marriage. If you want to be confirmed, you need to be baptised. Your baptismal records may be in another state or…

In fact, the baptismal parish is the official keeper of your sacramental records, so when you’re married, the marriage is communicated to that parish and added to your sacramental record (likewise for confirmation if it doesn’t happen at your baptismal church, and, less commonly ordination will also be communicated there). When parishes are closed or consolidated, the bishop will indicate what parish becomes the new…

Post by wy1981 » Thu, May 07, 2026, 1:37 PM UTC

cwnyth wrote: post #108

wy1981 wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an aside, do you still teach Latin? If not, any online recommendations for Latin tutors? Thanks in advance.

I've considered picking up a class here or there, but no, I left academia years ago. I have tutored in Latin afterwards, and I also answer questions on StackExchange's Latin site.

Post by red-iron-pine » Thu, May 07, 2026, 1:40 PM UTC

OhMeadhbh wrote: post #94

jll29 wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My spouse and I lived in London, but we both come from (other) European countries, so for our wedding, three countries and four languages were involved: the church's forms are all both in the local language as well as in Latin. This is no different than hundreds of years ago, and it works well. Thanks to Latin, the church's _lingua franca_.

I once heard someone say "English has replaced Latin as the Lingua Franca," and started giggling incoherently.