Introductory Ecclesiastical Latin B (AL2302C)

Wednesday 3-5pm 7 sessions 29 July; 5, 26 August; 2, 16 September; 7, 21 October

This unit (and its complement AL1301C Introductory Ecclesiastical Latin A) introduces the basic grammar and vocabulary of ecclesiastical Latin and develops the skills of translating ecclesiastical Latin into English. The course will proceed with a general introduction to ecclesiastical Latin, and an explanation of the pedagogical technique used in class. Thereafter, the core mode of instruction will be continuing on from the point reached in AL9301C. Typically this means from around unit 19 of Collins, A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin (Washington: Catholic University of America, 1985). Students are strongly advised to have a copy of Collins’ primer in class. Classes will be a mixture of lectures presenting new material and tutorials to drill material, revise previous material, practise translating, and discuss difficulties. Some time will also be reserved for in-class tests. Students taking the level at graduate level are expected to develop a level of fluency and competence beyond that expected of undergraduate students; for example, graduate level students are expected to develop a working active knowledge of the ecclesiastical Latin (i.e., to put English into Latin), in addition to the primarily-passive reading skills that are the focus of the undergraduate curriculum. They will undertake a translation project during the semester of translating a piece of ecclesiastical Latin prose into English, with comments on those nuances of the Latin that are problematic or force difficult choices on a translator.

Collins, John F. A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 1985.