His niece Lucy was nearly in tears.
“My mother wants me to study Latin in school. I want to take French. Why should I study a language that’s no longer spoken? Help me, Uncle Gilmore.”
Her uncle had taught himself Latin and translated five books of Virgil’s “The Aeneid.” He agreed with those who say, “I learned my English grammar in Latin class.” He credited his independent study for his impressive and extensive vocabulary. He knew that his examining the language of Cicero and Cato was arduous but rewarding. How would he convince a stubborn 15-year-old to select Latin?
“I hope you know your SAT score will be higher if you were to take Latin. Some educated adults don’t know the difference between a.m. and p.m. I bet you didn’t know that there is no such time as 12 p.m. Your mother has told you about how Latin will improve your English grammar. Vocabulary? Do you know the meaning of ‘terraqueous’? You will. Let me quote William Fitzsimmons, the director of undergraduate admissions and financial aid at Harvard, ‘Because so few students these days master Latin, it can help an applicant.’”
Lucy balked a bit.
“But, Uncle Gil…”
He smirked and shook his head.
“I don’t want to hear it. You won’t regret taking Latin. Latin will make you think,” he told her.
She hugged her uncle.
“Thank you. You have so much wisdom. I’ll enroll in Latin. I’ll bet you a cold bottle of Moxie that I get an A.”
Lucy skipped out with a radiant smile.
One year later she was enjoying a cold bottle of Moxie.
Morton Soule is a Latin teacher at Cape Elizabeth High School. He can be reached at mortonsoule@gmamil.com.
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