Lesson 1 - Introduction

CLASSICAL LATIN vs. ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN

Cicero

Classical Latin is the form of the Latin language used by the ancient Romans ( such as Virgil, Cicero, Julius Caesar, etc.) in what is usually regarded as "classical" Latin literature. 

Ecclesiastical Latin (also called Church Latin) is the form of the Latin language as used in documents of the Roman Catholic Church and in its Latin liturgies. Though its pronunciation differs slightly from that of Classical Latin, it is NOT a distinct language or dialect, but only the Latin language used for ecclesiastical purposes, as the same language can be used also for other purposes (such as commerce, recreation, etc.).

An example of the differences is the use of long and short vowels. As you can see Church Latin does NOT depart radically from the Classical Latin. 

MANDATE TO STUDY LATIN 

Canon Law no. 249 :

The Charter of Priestly Formation is to provide that the students are not only taught their native language accurately, but are also well versed in latin, and have a suitable knowledge of other languages which would appear to be necessary or useful for their formation or for the exercise of their pastoral ministry.

PRONUNCIATION OF ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN

- Consonants: There are no K and W in Latin

b, as in English

c, like k except before e, i, ae or oe; then like ch in church: cena, circā, caelum, coenobium

d, f, as in English

g, like g in gut except before e, i, or y; then, like j in jut: angelus, regina, Aegyptius.

The combination of gn is like the Spanish ñ: agnus. rēgnum

h, as in hat (not as in honor or hour): honores, hora

Note 1: H was pronounced only by educated speakers even in the classical period, and references to its loss in vulgar speech are frequent.

j, this is in reality i used as a consonant, pronounced like y in yet: jam, Jēsūs, jūstus

l, m, n, p, as in English

ph is like f; ch and th are pronounced as in character and thyme.

q, always followed by a (semiconsonantal) u + another vowel, pronounced in all positions kw, as in quick: quod, antīquus

r, like English r, but lightly trilled.

s, unvoiced, as in set and loose: ecclēsia, missa

sc followed by e or i is like sh: scelus, scīvī

t, v, x, as in English

Ti followed by a vowel is pronounced tsi (except when preceded by s, t, or x): laetitia, pretiōsus, vitium.

z, like dz in adze: baptizō

- Vowels: a, e, i, o, u (There are short and long vowels)
The letter Y occurs only as a vowel (never a consonant)
Ex. mysterium, hymnus

Note 2: Long vowels are indicated by a macron (ā, ē, ī, ō, ū)

- Diphthongs: 

ae - like ē : aeternus, seculum
au - like ou- in out: laudare
oe - like ē: oecumenicus

ui - likw -wi- in dwindle: cui, fui




SYLLABICATION


A Latin word has many syllables as it has vowels or dipthongs. 


1. Division into syllables is made after 


a. open vowels (vowels not followed by a consonant)
Ex. pi/us , De/us
or 
b. Vowels followed by a single consonant
Ex. vī/ta, hō/ra


2. Division is made after the first consonant when two or more consonants follow a vowel (enclosed vowel)
Ex. mis/sa, mi/nis/ter, sān/ctus


3. In compounds, the parts are separated.
Ex. dē/scrībō


Types of Syllables

1. Long Syllables 

- if it contains a long vowel. Ex.  hō/ra (the first syllable is long)

- if it contains a diphthong. Ex. lau/do (the first syllable is long)

- if a short vowel is followed by two (or more) consonants, by a double consonant, x or z. This is long syllable "by position". A short vowel that becomes long "by position" is still pronounced as short.

Ex. pax, mis/sa

2. Short Syllables - if not mentioned above.

ACCENTS

penult - second to the last syllable

antepenult - third to the last syllable

1. If the penult is long, it bears the accent.

ex. doc/trī/na 

2. If the penult is short, the antepenult gets the accent.

ex. an/ge/lus

3. Words of two syllables are accented on the penult.

cē/na, si/ne

Note 3 - Traditional Latin missals and breviaries do not use macrons but accent marks instead.