"Are you really taking Latin? Isn't it a dead language?"

Yes and yes. When my friends learn that I’m a Latin student and actually enjoy the language, they pester me with variations of: “What's the point of Latin if it's dead?”

Let me explain.

Latin is more alive than dead.

It’s only “dead” in a technical sense. By definition, a dead or extinct language is one that is no longer spoken. Excluding the Vatican, no city or individual speaks Latin anymore. But Latin? It lives on through the Romance languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and many more. There is an abundance of rich Latin literature that is still widely studied today by students and scholars.

Latin provides a direct perspective on ancient history.

Did you think all historical records were written in English? The events of the Roman Empire and Roman Republic were recorded in Latin. To think that we can read the firsthand account of Caesar's Gallic campaign from 2000 years ago is incredible. Latin transports us back in time. Caesar's "Commentarii De Bello Gallico"is a commonly translated historical text and allows us to relive the action through Caesar's words which, admittedly, are biased at times. Nevertheless, translation becomes a vivid and exciting experience.

Latin roots are found all throughout the English language.

Am I saying that learning Latin will indirectly help you with your English? Yes, that's precisely what I'm saying. As my Latin vocabulary has increased, so has my English vocabulary. In fact, roughly 28 percent of our English dictionary has been influenced by Latin. That being said, Latin not only helps you better associate words with definitions, but also improves your vocabulary intuition.

Grammar is love. Rhetorical devices are life.

Translating Latin will make you crystal clear on grammar rules. Clause divisions? Done. Subject verb agreement? You bet. Relative verb tenses? For sure. Understanding grammar is key when dissecting Latin text. Rhetorical devices in poetry and prose become a beautiful thing as well. You learn to appreciate the brilliant ways in which authors craft their words together with chiasmus, polysyndeton, synchysis, hendiadys... and the list goes on.

Latin literature is absolutely fascinating.

I say this without a drop of sarcasm because it's actually true. Have you ever wanted to take a class where you could read and analyze a tumultuous love affair? Well, look no further! Gaius Valerius Catullus wrote an extensive collection of love poetry that tells the tale of a mysterious, emotional and raunchy romance.

But we're not limited to just one genre. Latin literature is full of page-turners, both historical and fictional. Catullus, Caesar, Cicero, Vergil, Ovid — these writers all contributed something unique to the Roman world.

If you have the opportunity to take Latin, do it. I promise you, you will not regret it.

"Audentis fortuna iuvat." —Vergil