66 BROOMALL : 



appeared what is known as the Romanic method of Latin 

 pronunciation. It attempts to reproduce the pronunciation of 

 the Augustan Age of Latin, and, barring our inherent inabil- 

 ity to appreciate vowel quantity, is a pretty good imitation. 



Thirty years ago the Latin School grammar presented 

 these three methods of Latin pronunciation, the English, 

 Continental and Romanic. The teacher generally adopted 

 that one with which he had learned the language. Now the 

 school book not onlj^ advocates the Romanic method, but in 

 most cases gives no other method. No one may deny that 

 this method is logical and scientific. Through its use only 

 can real Latin be apprehended. To understand Latin litera- 

 ture the student must acquire and use it. For the study of 

 language as a science, no other pronunciation can be con- 

 sidered. 



But this pronunciation is not used for the phrases, abbrevi- 

 ations and scientific nomenclature already mentioned, Roman 

 proper names, and the Anglicized or semi-Anglicized words of 

 Latin origin now a necessary part of our vocabulary, although 

 it is in relation to these that our school Latin is worth while 

 to the most of us. Only a few have inclination and ability 

 to pursue Latin to the scientific or literary depth wherein the 

 Romanic pronunciation is essential. If only the Romanic 

 method is taught in the schools, the student jumps into real 

 life with bona fide ringing in his ears as bona fccda, prima 

 facie as precma fakia and vice versa as iveekay wersah. Sooner 

 or later he may adjust himself to the English pronunciation 

 of such of these phrases as he often hears. But if they are 

 infrequently used in his line of life, he is always hampered 

 with a pronunciation adapted only to the linguistic student, 

 the Latin philologist, or — a Roman dead some nineteen 

 hundred years. 



In view, therefore, of the Latin " living " in the midst of 

 English and the English words of Latin origin, the luiglish 

 method has a practical use. We sui)niit that the English 

 as well as the Romanic method should be taught in the school. 



