The assertion that Latin is a dead language is just plain wrong. The fact is, however, that even though Latin is not a spoken language and hasn't been used as a conversational language since Ancient times, Latin is very much alive, and for some people, its presence in their lives is somewhat ubiquitous. We encounter it in almost everything we do on a daily basis, probably without recognizing that Latin is staring us in the face.
It is used on a daily basis in law. An 'amicus curiae' is a friend of the court. The term 'habeas corpus' literally means "you have a body," but in legal terms, it means that a defendant or anyone who is accused of a crime has the legal right to appear before a judge. There are countless other Latin words that are a regular part of legal jargon. Ad hoc means for this purpose, and ad infinitum literally means towards infinity, but we know that it really means without limit.
When there is a question as to whether or not someone is competent to stand trial, the term used to describe that is non compos mentis, literally meaning having mastery of the mind.....or competent of mind. Many states have Latin slogans. One particularly nice one is the Oklahoma state motto which states: labor omnia vincit or labor conquers all. In any type of sales, there is always the Latin advisement to people: caveat emptor or "buyer beware."
Anyone who carries money around with them should take the time to look at the words on it. It doesn't matter whether it is a dollar bill or a coin. The words 'e pluribus unum' appear on every piece of money that is minted in this country. The literal translation for that is "out of many, there is one." One could easily interpret that to mean that the many are all of the diverse cultures and nationalities that make up this country. Out of all of the differences, there is still only one, and that one is all of the citizens of this country as a whole. We are one because we are unified as Americans.
Whether we choose to believe it or not, our English owes much of its basic construction to Latin. The study of Latin improves our vocabulary. It teaches us about the structure of the language, about the grammar and about the way through which sentences should be put together. One cannot help but become a better writer as a result of studying Latin.
For a writer, Latin will be greatly beneficial in helping him or her improve their knowledge and understanding of English grammar give them an awareness that will force them to be more mindful of the way in which they put their sentences together.
Anyone who studies sciences will discover that throughout much of science, there are Latin words everywhere. In botany, for example, many of the botanical names for plants are Latin. Photosynthesis is the process by which convert light into energy, and the literal meaning when translated is "bringing together and light." The inference is that it means that the plant is brought together with light, and consequently, the light is converted into energy, or food for the plant. When the word alba appears in a Latin flower description, it is indicating that the flower is white.
Every area of medicine from anatomy to pharmacology are loaded with Latin words. Parts of the body are often referred to by Latin names. We go to the eye doctor, only to get a prescription for glasses. The prescription has two sides that are indicated by o.d. and o.s. O.D. is the abbreviation for oculus dexter or right eye. O.S. is the abbreviation for oculus sinester or left eye.
When a doctor writes a prescription, the abbreviations used to tell the pharmacist the exact number of pills to be taken at precise intervals. If the prescription indicates that something should be taken b.i.d, that means bis in die, or twice a day. If the prescription was written with the letters c.c, the doctor was telling the pharmacist that the medicine should be taken cum cibos or with food.
If there is an abbreviation with the letters h.s, then doctor is telling the pharmacist that the medication should be taken at hora somni, or literally, the hour of sleep. We know that that means "at bedtime." In a hospital maternity ward, a woman waits in the ante partum unit to have her baby. After the birth, she will be transferred to the post partum unit. Ante means before and partum means after.
In the military, we find Latin used quite often. Sub-marine means under water. Semper fideles, the motto of the Marines means always faithful. The coast guard motto is Semper paratus, or always ready. The First Artillery Detachment of the U.S. Army has the motto "in umbra, igitur pugnabimus," meaning "in the shadows, therefore we will fight."
The U.S. Naval Academy uses "ex scientia tridens," which means "from knowledge, sea power." The Apollo 13 mission to the moon took part of the Naval Academy motto and changed it for their own purposes. It was "ex luna scientia," meaning "from the moon, knowledge." The U.S. Air Force Security Force has the motto "defensor fortis," meaning "defender of the force." The term "casus belli" is translated as "that which causes war."
The saying "mea culpa" is shortened from "culpa est mea," literally meaning "the blame is mine." In journalism, we sometimes hear the phrase "lapsus linguae" which literally means "lapse of the tongue." We known it as a slip of the tongue. We commonly hear the phrase "personna non grata," a term that is generally used in diplomatic contexts, but it literally means "the person not welcome." We know it to refer to a person who is disliked, one that others prefer not to have around.
Let us not forget the Olympic motto which is "citius, altius, fortius," meaning "swifter, higher, stronger." The saying "esse quam videri," literally means to be rather than to be seen. "In hoc signo vinces," meaning "in (or on) this sign, you will conquer" something that is strangely found on a cigarette pack. We are all familiar with the famous saying "veni vidi vici" which literally means "I came, I saw, I conquered."
It is hard to allege that Latin is dead when it plays such a significant role in things that are important in our lives, whether or not they are immediately important or become important at some later time. The fact is, however, that Latin is alive all around us. One just has to think of all of the terms we frequently hear and all of the places where we see Latin phrases, especially on college and university buildings, government buildings, and in fields for which a knowledge of Latin is extremely helpful, if not essential.