Meta Description: Are you trying to learn the Latin language? Join the Ad Navseam Podcast as Dr. Patrick Owens reviews the most popular Latin textbooks, explains the difference between “learning” and “acquiring” Latin, and reveals why speaking the language might be the key to fluency.
Introduction: The Quest for the Perfect Latin Textbook
If you have ever tried to learn the Latin language, you have likely faced a daunting wall of choices at the bookstore. Should you buy the classic Wheelock’s Latin? What about Learn to Read Latin? Or perhaps a “boot camp” style text like Moreland and Fleischer? These are questions that plague not just students, but independent learners and teachers alike.
In Episode 48 of the Ad Navseam Podcast, hosts Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle broadcast from the “vomitorium” to tackle these critical questions. They are joined by a heavy hitter in the world of classical philology: Dr. Patrick Owens.
Dr. Owens isn’t just a scholar; he is a practitioner of spoken Latin (or “Living Latin”). His insights bridge the gap between dry grammar charts and the vibrant, living language of the Romans. Whether you are a teacher looking for a curriculum or a student trying to go from “neophyte to erudite,” this episode offers a roadmap for navigating the complex landscape of Latin pedagogy.
From Jesuit School to Speaking Latin in Rome
To understand what makes a good textbook, you have to understand how language acquisition actually works. Dr. Owens’ own journey serves as a powerful case study in the difference between studying a language and actually knowing it.
Despite attending a Jesuit preparatory school where Latin was required, Owens admits he didn’t truly “learn” the language in high school; he merely learned about it. He describes himself as a “poor student” at the time, despite having wonderful teachers. The turning point came during his university years at Fordham, when he decided to study abroad in Rome during his junior year—a decision he highly recommends for any student of the classics.
The “Living Latin” Epiphany
Owens studied under legendary figures like Reginald Foster and Luigi Miraglia (also known by his Latin name, Aloysius). Foster lived just up the block from the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (the “Centro”) where Owens was studying.
He eventually joined the Accademia Vivarium Novum, a unique institution founded by Miraglia. At the time, it was located in a country villa about two hours east of Naples. The rules were strict and immersive: faculty and students spoke only Latin (or occasionally Ancient Greek). They lived in common, took meals together, and dedicated themselves to the study of classical literature.
Living in this immersive environment, Owens experienced a profound shift. He recounts a morning when he woke up and started speaking to a visiting friend—a geologist with no classical background—in Latin without realizing it. His friend had to remind him, “I don’t speak Latin.”
- The Lesson: Owens realized that “No one learns a language by simply looking at grammatical charts or reading about a language.” To truly master Latin, you must move from passive study to active use, building relationships and thinking in the language.
What is a Textbook, Really?
Before reviewing specific titles, the group defines what a textbook actually is. Dr. Owens argues that a textbook is merely a tool—it is not the teacher.
- The Trap: If an instructor treats the textbook as the source of all instruction, the instructor becomes the tool (a pun Dr. Winkle saw coming a mile away).
- The Goal: A good textbook should facilitate the instructor’s plan, not dictate it. It must present accurate information, but accuracy is just the “lowest bar.”
The Importance of Culture
A dry list of vocabulary isn’t enough. Dr. Owens emphasizes that you cannot learn the Latin language without understanding Roman culture.
- Example: The term paterfamilias. We might translate this as “man of the house,” but that English phrase evokes a guy in a tank top watching TV. In Ancient Rome, the paterfamilias had the legal right to execute members of his own household. Without that cultural context, a student cannot understand the “prudence of reverence” owed to a Roman father.
The “Big Three” of Grammar-Translation
Dr. Noe and Dr. Owens categorize the most famous textbooks into the Grammar-Translation approach. This method typically presents a grammatical structure (like a declension or verb tense) followed by short sentences where the student must apply that specific rule.
1. Wheelock’s Latin
- The Status: Currently in its 7th edition, this is perhaps the most ubiquitous text in American classrooms.
- The Verdict: While it attempts to use sentences from real authors (the Sententiae Antiquae), it often relies on disjointed sentences that don’t provide enough context for true acquisition. It is a classic example of the grammar-translation method.
2. Learn to Read Latin (Russell and Keller)
- The Strength: This text takes pains to present only forms and constructions that appear in real authors, making it a “best of” version of this methodology. It avoids some of the artificiality found in other texts.
3. The Intensive Course (Moreland and Fleischer)
- The Niche: Designed as a “boot camp” to teach all of Latin grammar in one summer (often around 10 weeks).
- The Verdict: It is an efficient option for learning about Latin quickly, but Dr. Owens notes he doesn’t know anyone who has actually acquired (internalized) the language in 10 weeks using this method. It serves a specific purpose but isn’t a substitute for long-term study.
The Problem: Learning vs. Acquiring
The central critique of many Latin textbooks is that they focus on learning (analyzing the language’s structure) rather than acquisition (internalizing it so it becomes second nature).
“Latin-Heavy” vs. “English-Heavy”
Dr. Owens prefers a textbook to be “Latin heavy,” meaning it contains vast amounts of reading material in the target language. Many introductory texts make the mistake of having paragraphs of cultural explanation in English with only a few lines of Latin.
- The Science: This aligns with the theories of Stephen Krashen regarding “Comprehensible Input.” You need to see the language in action to learn it. A textbook with 26 sentences in a chapter is simply not enough input.
The “Purple Rhinoceros” of Grammar
The hosts reference an article by Anne Mahoney, “The Forms You Really Need to Know,” which uses statistics to show that textbooks often prioritize the wrong things.
- Example: About 75% of all verb forms in Latin literature are either Present or Perfect tense. Yet, textbooks often spend weeks on obscure forms while delaying high-frequency concepts like the Subjunctive. This is like teaching a basketball player to dribble and shoot but waiting until next season to teach them how to pass.
Case Study: Wheelock Chapter 19
To illustrate the pitfalls of the Grammar-Translation method, the group analyzes Chapter 19 of Wheelock’s Latin.
The Sentence: Quis libertatem eorum eo tempore delere coepit? (“Who began to destroy their liberty at that time?”).
- The Critique: Dr. Owens points out that while the grammar is correct, the phrase libertatem delere (“to destroy liberty”) sounds awkward to a seasoned Latinist. A Roman would more likely use libertatem tollere (“to remove/take away liberty”).
- The Issue: Textbooks often treat Latin like “English written in other words” or a math problem where A=B. But language is an art, not a science. Tollere can mean “lift up” or “remove,” and a student needs context to know which applies.
The Lack of Input
Dr. Owens notes that Chapter 19 contains only about 26 sentences of practice in total. This is simply not enough input for a student to master the concept of interrogative pronouns. To truly learn, a student needs pages of stories and context, not just a puzzle to solve.
Conclusion: How to Choose
So, what is the best Latin textbook? As Dr. Owens says, “The textbook that works better for you and for your students.” There is no silver bullet.
However, for those serious about promoting the Latin language and achieving fluency, the advice from Ad Navseam is clear:
- Seek “Latin-Heavy” Resources: Look for books with extensive readings, not just grammar charts.
- Understand the Culture: Don’t separate the language from the people who spoke it.
- Speak It: As Dr. Owens’ experience shows, actively using the language is the bridge between being a student and becoming a master.
Ready to start your journey?
The hosts recommend checking out resources like Hackett Publishing for high-quality texts and the Moss Method for learning Greek. And if you need fuel for your studies, Ratio Coffee and Ad Astra Roasters are the “classical gourmand’s” choice.
As Skylar Blue said in this week’s gustatory parting shot: “Spam means sizzle, pork, and mmm.” Latin might seem like a mystery meat to some, but with the right preparation, it’s delicious.
Valete!
