Latin IS English!

April 18, 2009

“Elucidating on the Interesting, Discerning, and Diligent Labors of a Master Photographer!” (Or, More Simply Stated [for the non-Latin student]: “How to Take Great Photos!”)

[The following composition is also from one of my current 9th grade Latin 1 students.  Once again, this student has written about something she loves and with which she has some level of expertise.  Notice the significant, clear relationships between the triad of colored word patterns that represent the Latin (root word), it’s corresponding English derivative (similar spelling and meaning), and the definition of the original Latin word—all within the proximate context.]

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Photography

Photography can be described as being able to take an image and present it in an artful manner on a photograph.  The photographer can take an image and present it truthfully or he can twist it to make it artful and based on his own perspective and interpretation.  Much like art, the viewer can interpret it differently because the photographer does not verify (veritas) the purpose of the photograph.  In other photographs the meaning is very clear.

Photography starts with the kind of equipment the photographer uses. There are many books that instruct (instruo) new photographers on the correct equipment to use for different kinds of pictures.  The basic kinds of cameras include film cameras, digital fixed-lens cameras, and digital SLR cameras.  SLR stands for single-lens reflex, and they have different removable lenses.  Most professionals use SLR cameras.

A good picture is made up of many key parts (pars).  The components of a good picture are the exposure of light, balance, and most important, a love for photography.  In order for a picture to become a masterpiece, the photographer must be diligent (diligo) in his work.  The light that the picture is exposed to determines the clearness of the picture, the depth of field (focus), and how lucid (lux . . . lucis) the picture is.  The exposure of light is determined by three things, the aperture, the shutter speed, and the ISO setting.

The aperture (aperio) is how much light the photographer allows to enter the camera through the lens.  The aperture is an opening in the cameras lens that lets in only a certain amount of light; it is similar to the pupil of the eye in function.  The size of the hole is called the F-stop.  The larger the F-stop number, the less light is allowed into the picture.  A good photographer must be able to distinguish the correct F-stop to use.  Being able to discern (cerno) the correct F-stop to use is key in having the correct light exposure in the picture.  The shutter speed also plays a large role in the light exposure.  The shutter speed is how long the shutter stays open; this decides how long light will be exposed to the picture.  The ISO is how sensitive the camera is to light.  All of these are usually set to automatic on digital cameras, but sometimes the photographer must adjust things manually (manus) to change the picture to look how he wants it to look.  Although the camera works just as efficiently when the photographer adjusts the setting by hand, it is more convenient (convenio) for all the settings to assemble themselves to fit together to make the perfect light exposure automatically.  Depending on what the photographer wants in his picture, he must prioritize (prior) which part of the scene he would like to put in front and exalt in the picture.  The photographer must also take proper care of his camera and not neglect (nego) protecting the lens from scratches and the rest of the camera from water and dirt.  If the photographer decides to deny proper care of his camera, the camera could suffer serious damage.

In order for a photographer to be great, he or she must be sure that the picture is unique (unicus) in what it portrays.  If the picture is one of a kind, then it will be magnificent (magnus).  That is why there are so many different kinds of pictures out there.  They have different things to say, and there are many opposites out there.  The different photographer’s views on things are what make all the kinds of pictures so diverse.   There are many contradictory (contra + dico . . . dictus) photographs that can be found anywhere.  Sometimes the pictures that focus on the smallest things in life speak the loudest.  There is no minimum (minimus) or maximum in photography.  The photographer has a limitless boundary of images he can capture.  However, the photographer cannot be timid (timeo) when he is taking pictures.  If the photographer is afraid to present a picture because the picture is too discriminated compared to average pictures, he may miss a great opportunity.

If a photographer ever wants to become magisterial (magister) in what he does, he must show great interest (intersum, interesse . . .) in photography.  When a photographer really wants to be among what he loves to do, he is more likely to put more labor into his work.  When the photographer greatly elaborates (laboro) detail and perfection in his picture, he is sure to become a master photographer if he keeps on striving to become better.

Interested in taking a “live, interactive” online Latin class?  Take the POLL here!

February 19, 2008

Incorporating Latin into Your English Compositions: A Sample “Latin 1” Student Writing


The following
composition (Lat. = to place together) was written by a 12th grade level home schooled Latin 1 student.  A Grove City College (PA) freshman at the time of this posting, she was a part of a “classroom” of home schoolers who came together last school year at the Pillar Foundation in West St. Louis for my Latin instruction (from a Latin word meaning equipping).  This capable student readily incorporated (Lat. corpus = body), many Latin roots into her English writing, which reflected in the derivatives in which they are embodied. I think you already get the point . . . so, enjoy.  Simply observe the matching colored words representing the Latin words (in parentheses), the Latin definitions, and their corresponding English derivatives.

“Redeemed”


“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…” Ringing true even today, the words to this powerful hymn strike at the core of man, projecting him as miserable (miser), self-centered, and in desperate need of grace. To be lost then found, blind then given sight, mankind seeks a Redeemer. Thus, for man to be made free, a liberation (liber) from the chains of sin must come from outside himself, from someone sovereign, powerful and yet loving.  I proclaim that through my own life, freedom from sin and death has come from God through his son, Jesus Christ!

By way of virgin birth, a concept unfathomable to the human mind, Jesus ventured (venio) into this world to dwell among men. He, the Son of God, came to make a way for us.  The filial (filius) love from God the Father towards Jesus Christ the Son was perfect and driven in purpose. The Father had a plan that involved his own Son coming to earth to be the barrier-breaker between the territory (terra) of heaven and earth through demolishing the wall of sin. Bearing death for me on the cross, Jesus transported (porto) my sin onto Himself.  Through His sacrificial act, He carried my sin to the grave, burying its hold on me forever. My lot and my portion were on His shoulders at the last breath; it was I who drove Him to that place of assumed finality.

Yet, this Intercessor (cedo, cedere, cessi) for my sin did not give way to the decay of the grave. No! I tell you the truth, for the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead and lives today! Through verifying (veritas) His oneness with the Father in heaven and great love for us, Jesus conquered death, sin and all wretchedness. Conviction and guilt I feel over my every sin can be released by the conquering (vinco) blood shed by Christ. I am filled with Christ for I received the completion (compleo) only He can give.

When I chose to respond to His nomination (nomen) on my heart, my name was written the book of life. This gift of liberated life is for all mankind; surrendering to this Omnipresent (omni) Savior is to be our expected return. Because of Christ, I need not timidly (timeo) live my life with fear of the finalization of death. For, in Christ, life is eternal! He rose from the grave to not only conquer sin, but to get ready a magnificent (magnus) place for us in heaven. His mercy and great love surpass my understanding!

Now, the question of the hour is, are you prepared (paratus, -a, um) to be in such a perfect place for eternity? Who or what occupies (occupo) your heart? I petition (beg) (peto) you to seize the moment you are given and seek, as I did, the gift of everlasting life Jesus Christ freely gives. Let the light of Christ illuminate (lux, lucis) you from within, radiating inciting (incito) others to be aroused from the sleep of sin. May you initiate interrogation (rogo) of every man by asking the questions that lead them to a realization of their need for a Savior. It is only through His amazing grace that this gift is made for the taking, so receive Christ today and let Him change you from the inside out.

For a PDF of this composition, click here or go to the sidebar and locate and open and save the “Redeemed” PDF from the “Composition Tools” category.

Interested in taking a “live, interactive” online Latin class?  Take the POLL here!

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