Physicians, lawyers, linguists and scientists from various fields in the process of obtaining education and work are faced with the need to master the Latin language. Despite the fact that he is called dead, he is that necessary base, without which successful promotion in a number of professions is impossible. How to learn Latin from scratch? It is necessary to adhere to three main recommendations in the following sequence: development of theory, practice, consolidation of knowledge. Let's consider how it is possible to learn the language of science in five basic stages.
The choice of approach to learning the Latin language
There are two generally accepted options in mastering the Latin language. These are schools whose methods have a number of differences. Depending on the priority goals in mastering the language, it is worth taking a closer look at one or another approach. The first school is more focused on grammar and vocabulary. The second focuses on vocabulary and reading. The first option is more suitable for those who aim to learn the language on their own. How to learn Latin in this way? It involves a high level of motivation and iron discipline. At the same time, most of the modern textbooks and programs are built on it, which will allow you to choose working materials without restrictions. The second method gives faster results in understanding and using the language. Its minus is that you need an almost constant presence of the teacher in the work process.
Workbook
A number of textbooks will help to learn the alphabet, grammar, vocabulary of the language. How to learn Latin to the level to be able to read? This will take from several months to six months. First you need to learn the alphabet, the basic rules for reading words, the basics of grammar and building sentences. In parallel with this, the vocabulary is constantly expanding by memorizing not only individual words, but also whole expressions, quotes and texts. They will further become the basis for accelerating the development process. As educational material, you can use both a self-instruction manual and teaching aids recommended for university students or for a specific specialty.
The second necessary link is the Latin dictionary. It is recommended to take a general-purpose publication, as well as a highly specialized version, for example, for linguists, lawyers, doctors or biologists.
Reading and translation
Since the language is “dead” and it is used exclusively for solving scientific problems, reading and translation skills will become priority in mastering. It is worth starting with small light texts adapted specifically for beginners (from textbooks). Then you can move on to more complex labors. How to learn Latin from scratch on your own based on texts and knowledge of grammar? This will help the constant practice of translation. It is necessary to work out each sentence, analyzing its components and selecting correspondences in the words and terminology of the native language. It is best to use like-minded communities to analyze progress and feedback. Workbooks with an already completed translation will also help, which you should consult after completing your own in order to analyze errors.
An effective way to expand vocabulary
As in any other language, vocabulary is the key to its successful development. The most effective way to work with vocabulary teachers call cardboard or electronic cards. On one side is a word or phrase in the original, on the reverse side is a translation. Constant work with cards will help you quickly learn verbs and their conjugation, winged proverbs, nouns and adjectives. It is recommended to periodically (weekly) return to already developed material in order to consolidate it in long-term memory. How to learn Latin to audials? The method of cards with the pronunciation of words and expressions aloud will solve the problem.
Communication and training of others
How to learn Latin without constant feedback? Is it possible? In the case of the Latin question is relevant because of its formality and the impossibility of ubiquitous communication. Teachers are encouraged to join language learning communities that help each other with difficult cases in grammar, translation, and understanding of vocabulary. A very effective method is the further transfer of knowledge, when, after mastering the base, the student undertakes to explain the basics of Latin to someone else, thus consolidating what has been learned and understanding the details learned. According to research, this approach accelerates progress at least twice.
Knowledge of the Latin language will allow not only to learn successfully, but also to read the works of ancient philosophers in the original. The process is fascinating and informative. It is possible to learn Latin independently, and communities of like-minded people will become a reliable motivating factor on the way to the goal.