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Project Reflection

Initially I had a difficult time choosing a project. I wanted to do something that I was passionate about and something that I knew I would continue to use and value after the actual class was finished. I went through several different projects, but finally came up with the idea of beginning to learn Latin. From a young age I’ve always had the desire to know Latin--I bought an old Latin textbook at a used bookstore when I was ten. Languages have always fascinated me, and I knew that by learning Latin I would be better equipped to learn other languages, I would be more prepared for my graduate studies, and I would gain a better appreciation for English, Spanish, and Greek--the other languages I have extensively studied. Prepping for my project was an extensive process. Luckily, I have connections with several professors that know and have taught Latin in the past, so I spent a lot of time consulting with them on curriculums, strategies, and goals for my project. After researching dif
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Newsletter

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For my project I started learning Latin. I used the Wheelock’s Latin curriculum by Frederic M. Wheelock and Richard A LaFleur. Mastering a language is a process that can take years, so I wasn’t expecting to completely master Latin in the course of this project. My goal for the project was simply to dive into the language and get as far as I could through the curriculum. I’m majoring in history and in graduate school I’m planning on emphasizing in Greek and Roman history. Alongside Latin, I am also learning Greek. As I have studied these two languages I have seen more into the unique cultures of the ancient world. Not only has studying Latin and Greek helped me prepare for my graduate studies it has also given me more depth in my current studies and educational pursuits. I’ve always had a passion for languages, however I actually went through several different project ideas before I decided to start learning Latin. After I started learning Greek I realized the value that le
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Workbook

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As a part of studying Latin I started going through Wheelock's Lain Workbook. Here are some pictures of  key sections that I've worked on throughout my project.
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Notes

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While learning Latin I tried to take notes on each chapter as I worked through them. Because I ended up working through the first several chapters multiple times, a lot of my notes were very repetitive. These are pictures of some of my notes on basic vocabulary, verb endings, noun structures, noun cases, and basic translations from the last time I worked through the first several chapters of Wheelock's Latin.
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My Experience Learning Latin

Learning a different language is both an insightful and a strenuous  process. I believe that one truly cannot fully understand a culture or its people unless one also knows their language. Think of all the complexities and colloquial phrases used in English everyday. Every generation seems to have new trendy expressions that can be misinterpreted if taken at face value. For example, the phrase “that’s sick” has sometimes been used to mean “that’s awesome.” Individuals that aren’t informed of current language trends will never be able to fully understand current cultural complexities. The same applies to learning dead languages. Learning ancient languages unlocks the door to further insight and understanding into ancient people’s cultures and ways of life. For my EDGE Project I started learning Latin. Although there were many struggles along the way, I have made significant progress and gained insight into the Roman people as well as insight into the English language. My Ancient Gree
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EDGE Project Proposal

Learning Latin  For my project I will learn to read and translate Latin by working through the Wheelock’s Latin curriculum by Frederic M. Wheelock and Richard A LaFleur. I will be working alongside a few other students and mentors to help me stay on track and assist me when I encounter problems. Although learning a dead language is an extensive project and will undoubtedly require years of study before I have fully mastered it, at the culmination of this project I will write a paper detailing the progress I have made and the insights I have gained within my project’s allotted time frame. Learning a language requires consistent effort--for my project I plan to spend a minimum of an hour, five days a week, for three months, studying from my textbooks and doing outside translations. I will also spend time each week meeting with a study group and with my mentors as needed. This project will jump start my future studies of Latin and other ancient languages in graduate school and in my own
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