How Latin has helped me

The first place latin has helped me outside of class was during English 1 last year. It helped me because I was only able to understand english grammar by learning it in latin. One example I remember very well was infinitives in english because I found it really difficult to know how the infinitive was functioning. Luckily, the words in latin that help you identify its function were the same in english. The next place latin was helpful was during Donald Trump’s impeachment. Everybody started talking about a quid pro quo without ever providing a translation. However, I did know the translation, which is what for what or this for this. The next place I noticed latin was this wednesday. I was in a car and I noticed a Marriott hotel, and realized that their logo is a latin cursive M. The next place I noticed latin was earlier this school year. I don’t know how I never made the connection until then, but September-December are based off of 7-10 in latin. After realizing this I got frustrated with the calendar because septem means seven, but september is the 9th month of the year. The next example is a reference to Roman history that I noticed about 2 months ago. The reference took place in Star Wars when Palpatine convinces the senate to transition the galactic government from a Republic to an Empire. The reference is to how Julius Caesar transitions Rome from a Republic to an Empire. I have appreciated taking latin because it has made school easier by actually teaching me grammar. It is also nice to understand references to Roman History. Also, some parts of life are in latin, so it a lot easier to translate it when I know most of the grammar in latin.

-Diego Roman