Despite not being particularly religious i watched the mass this morning out of respect for the late Pope. It was beautifully carried out and the crowds are fantastic.

Its such a pity i couldnt understand a word since it was given in Latin. I cannot understand why this wonderfaul language is being allowed to die, Im sure i would have loved to learn Latin when i was at school much more useful to me than French or German im sure. Does anyone here speak Latin at all?

I have been told i try after a few bacardie & coke,s :D :D :)

Lol, all i know is Nunquam, nothing in english, and thats only because my friend has this as is screen name lol.

Don't speak it, but I did it at school a very long time ago.  It was great fun to study, helped by the teacher being a tad eccentric and an absolute hoot :D

Lesley

I think its tradgic that the language is being allowed to die like this. Baring in mind it was taught in the days when children in schools turned up, did the work and did it all in a well bahaved maner (or probably more afraid of the cane lol). It seems to me that too many old methods were abandoned and look at what its like now. (N>B im referring to the way Latin was taught, not to use of the cane before im pounced on).

If it were to be revivied im sure many more people would benefit. If i, for example, could speak tha language, i would take much more interest in its history, the history of its country or origin, would look further into the cathloic religion (religion is an interest of mine which i read a lot into) and so on.

I don't think that Latin is meant to be spoken :) It's really meant for reading old documents and providing an understanding of the origins of lots of European languages. Both my son and I learnt Latin at school. Unless you are going on to be a Catholic priest or studying medicine, botany, languages it is only of VERY limited use :)

Daisy

Shoould have said that Latin isn't taught today to be spoken - obviously it was spoken once upon a time :)

It would be nice to go to mass and understand whats being said tho wouldnt it? I have been to mass a few times with one of my friends and the Latin really made it a bad experience for me. I would also like to look into the origins of languages etc etc now. Just a shame its not taught any more.

I am surprised that you have attended mass which was celebrated in Latin.

An edict went out several decades ago for mass to be celebrated in the mother tongue of the country.

A small schism was created by those clergy who objected to this.

Latin is still taught in some schools along with Greek.

If you go to any mass in England it will be conducted in English.....................................

i heard some latin spoken in a funeral service once. Very brief but i didnt understand a word which i found terrible.

And the law, Daisy!
:)

Forgot that one :)

Daisy

yes it was a wonderful service wasnt it, very moving whether Roman Catholic or not.
My Mother and Father spoke latin as they were Italian and I know some from going to Latin mass when I was younger and from the similarities to the Italian language. I also think it is a shame that the language is being allowed to die

A very moving ceremony i had a tear when the poll bearers was carrying the popes casket back inside and people was waving as to say a last goodbye. God bless the pope may he now rest in peace