Reading Latin: Text

Reading Latin

by Peter V. Jones, Keith C. Sidwell

Reading Latin is a Latin course designed to help mature beginners read Latin fluently and intelligently, primarily in the context of classical culture, but with some mediaeval Latin too. It does this in three ways; it encourages reading of continuous texts from the start; it offers generous help with translation at every stage; and it integrates the learning of Classical Latin with an appreciation of the influence of the Latin language upon English and European culture from Antiquity to the present.

The Text, richly illustrated, consists at the start of carefully graded adaptations from original Classical Latin texts. The adaptations are gradually phased out until unadulterated prose and verse can be read. The Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises volume supplies all the help needed to do this, together with a range of reinforcing exercises for each section, including English into Latin for those who want it. At the end of each section, a selection of Latin epigrams, mottoes, quotations, everyday Latin, word-derivations, examples of mediaeval Latin and discussions of the influence of Latin upon English illustrate the language's impact on Western culture.

Reading Latin is principally designed for university and adult beginners, and also for sixth-formers (eleventh and twelfth graders in the USA). It is also ideal for those people who may have learned Latin many years ago, and with to renew their acquaintance with the language. Its companion course, Reading Greek (Cambridge University Press, 1978), is one of the most widely used mature beginners' courses in the world.

Genres: Language, Reference, Classics, Linguistics, Textbooks, Academic, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 29, 1986

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Peter Jones (sometimes credited as Peter V. Jones) is a former lecturer in Classics at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, a writer and journalist. Jones has regularly written on Classics for major newspapers, and was awarded the MBE in 1983. He is a Cambridge graduate.

Jones' popular work has been focused on introducing new generations to Ancient Rome and Greece, from newspaper columns to crossword collections, popular non-fiction, and charitable organisations devoted to helping keep Classics subjects in schools.

Reviews

[Jack Pyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good to get a refresher on Latin conjugation and declension, and they do tend to stick with you as you go through this. It's just such a gorgeous language, and I can now officially translate any Latin mentioned in... Doctor Who (the werewolf one, s'all I'm saying)!! That's a plus in my book!

[Marloes D]

In dit boek staan verschillende bewerkte teksten in het Latijn, opklimmend in moeilijkheidsgraad. Het begint met Plautus waarbij er steeds meer grammatica wordt geïntroduceerd. Ook staan er een paar plaatjes in. In deze editie staan alleen de teksten dus geen woordenlijsten of verklaring van grammatica.

Er staan ook een paar gedichten van Catullus in. Op Youtube bespreekt Otto Gradstein een paar van deze gedichten (onafhankelijk van dit boek). Dit was vooral handig met het oog op al die stijlfiguren die Catullus gebruikte.

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good text for mature beginners or amateurs of Latin. Needs to be read in conjunction with the other two books in the series for full effect. Be warned though, while this isn't a "grammar first" book like the horrid 'Wheelock's Latin', it should perhaps be supplemented by a real beginners cause like Cambridge, that starts off a bit simpler and introduces grammar more naturally. Still, you can't beat this if you're studying alone, and particularly if you're interested in translation.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Est difficilis librum ullum invenire quod paulatim discipulos ad linguam latinam comprehendam ducet. Librum istum modum ingenuum habet, quo narratio quaedam auctoribus adhibetur leitores capere. Vere auctores hi magnum amorem habent civitati Romanae. Non tamen sufficit opus istum, quoniam paulus est mensurae. Non nisi paginas CLIII habet cum *partibus* de opera Plauti (faciliorem reddito) cum narrationes de scandalo Verri coniurationibusque Catilinae et bellis civilis Caesari et poeticam quaedam. Graduus ex Plauto ad Ciceronem magnus videtur, subito factus: de repente tollendum est dictionarium.



Ita, ad secundum venio, id est, hoc: [http://books.google.com/books?id=EdMI...].

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did learn to read Latin quickly with these, but not efficiently. I don't think they are formated to re-enforce principles learned as much as to force them to learn them on your own. Unfortunately these are the best available and I have no desire to write Latin textbooks. Zero.

[Kamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why there are so many raving reviews for this book. It's just okay as a Latin primer. I found the linguistic concepts to be very poorly organized and explained. I think that Jones' book would be best used in conjunction with some other more pedagogical text.

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm learning the Latin language through this book, and its great!

[Abigail Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great text book. Really enjoy the actual ancient texts, Ovid is in here often along with Cicero.