LESSON II
4. The Alphabet
The alphabet used in English and in most European languages is one of the many things which we have
borrowed from the Romans. The Romans in turn got it from the Etruscans, their neighbors to the north. The
Etruscans received it from the Greeks, who adopted it from the Phoenicians. Naturally it has changed much in
the course of all these borrowings. In Figure 6 you see the abcs in their oldest Etruscan form, scratched on the
ivory edge of a wax tablet for the guidance of a schoolboy. Since Roman days the alphabet has changed little.
The Romans used i for i and j. In the seventeenth century it became the custom in English to use a long form of
i for j, and thus our j was formed. Similarly the Romans used only one character for u and v, but we have
introduced the useful distinction between them, even in Latin. The original identity of the two is shown by
another modern letter, w, which is a double u in name and a double v in form. The letters j and w are, therefore,
not found in Latin in this book.
5. Pronunciation
The pronunciation of Latin is quite different from that of English, especially in the vowels (a, e, i, o, u),
and resembles that of Italian, French, German, and other foreign language. It is relatively very easy because it
conforms to a few simple rules. There are no silent letters in Latin.
6. Exercises in Pronunciation
I
Pronounce , Mrs, pr, ab, iam, , m, ps, ex, sed, per, cert, quid, fit, digit, mlitis, nn, mors,
cgor, rog, is, cr, lx, nunc, cum, dux, istus, curr, aes, quae, Aetnae, aut, clausae, poenae.
II
Pronounce nvs, Rfus, Mara, nautae, nsula, qurum, exercitus, apelltur, vdimus, cognvit,
Mranda, tenbant, paene, poena, bonus, Columbus, Clra, Ilus, Augustus, Caesar, Cicero, Hortius
III
Mic, mic, parva, stlla!
Mror, quaenam ss, tam blla.
Splendns minus in ill
Alba velut gemma, cael.
IV
Read the following translation of America (by George D. Kellogg):
T can, Patria, Ttor es nicus.
Candida, lbera; nus avum Deus!
T referet Laud libns.
Portus et exulum Patria lceat,
Et tumulus senum; Lbera fulgeat,
Lbera montium Vs tua mniat,
Vx resonet. Omnipotns!
V
The following are ancient Lating quotations, come of which you probably have seen:
1. Vn, vd, vc, I came, I saw, I conquered (Caesars famous dispatch to the senate after a victory).
2. In hc sign vincs, In this sign you will conquer (motto of Constantines, the first Christian emperor).
3. Nn nvit virts calamitt cdere, Courage knows not how to yield to disaster.
4. Inirirum remedium est oblvi, Forgetfulness is the cure for injuries.
5. Possunt quia posse videntur, They can because they think they can.
VI
The two verses which follow were used by Roman children in some of their games:
1. Habeat scabiem quisquis ad m vnerit novissimus, May he have the itch who comes to me last.
2. Rx erit qu rct faciet; qu nn faciet nn erit, He will be king who does right; he who does not
will not be king.
7. VOCABULARY AND DERIVATIVE NOTEBOOK
From the very beginning be sure to learn thoroughly the new Latin words in the lessons; in this way you
will build up a good vocabulary. For this purpose it is very useful to associate one or more English derivatives
with every Latin word. A derivative is an English word formed from a Latin word. In this book derivatives are
given in parentheses after the words in vocabularies; for their meanings, see the dictionary.
You will find it very helpful to keep a vocabulary and derivative notebook. A large notebook of the
loose-leaf type is best. Rule each page in three columns for (1) Latin Words, (2) Related Words, (3) English
Derivatives (see illustration). Distribute the words of each lesson vocabulary according to the part of speech,
leaving a page for each of the five declensions of nouns, one for each of the four conjugations, etc. In the
second column enter related Latin words as you meet them. In the third column record as many English
derivatives as you can and keep adding to them.
Latin Words Related English
pn, -ere, Words Derivatives
posu, prpn position,
positus positive,
(put, proposition
place) committ,
mitt, -ere, mitt, commit,
ms, dmitt, committal
missus permitt, commissary,
(let go, submitt missive
send) mission,
reduce, permission
dc, -ere, prdc submit
dx dc, ductile,
ductus addc, reduction
(lead) traduce, dux educe,
traduce
duke
