CALLING ALL STUDENTS OF LATIN! Do you think that your Latin knowledge would help you learn Spanish?

justindaman1141

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I've been set on taking Spanish, but lately I've been thinking that maybe I could take Latin, and self study Spanish, therefore receiving the benefits of both. Please post any input! By the way, I know that I'm really crazy for even thinking of this lol. Shpanks

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I'd take the Spanish. Language is very hard to self-teach, you need to be practicing it with other students. Speaking Spanish fluently will be seen as a huge plus at a lot of med schools and beyond...Latin not so much.

You could still self-teach the Latin ofc
 
Ego est agricola.

That's about how far I got self teaching myself Latin.
 
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I took Latin for 4 years and found it essentially useless. Spanish will be infinitely more helpful to your future medical career.
 
Take Spanish. Don't take Latin. Spanish will serve you much more in the future than Latin will.
 
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Spanish Spanish Spanish
In whatever field you get into it'll always be useful

Don't self study if you don't have to
 
I think it was made clear that Spanish is much more useful when you asked this a couple months back
 
I don't really get the appeal of latin to begin with. I know some people who enjoyed it moderately at high schools that required it, but I haven't heard of anyone choosing it over a real/live/applicable language. Unless this is tied up with OP identifying latin (and himself) with intelligence/nerdiness
 
Ive taken both. Latin will help to a degree with the vocab. Overall though no, most of the grammar and use of latin doesn't carry over. I found latin pretty useless unless you intend to try to read something in latin
 
I don't really get the appeal of latin to begin with. I know some people who enjoyed it moderately at high schools that required it, but I haven't heard of anyone choosing it over a real/live/applicable language. Unless this is tied up with OP identifying latin (and himself) with intelligence/nerdiness
As I said before, the teachers are known to be some of the best in the school. Also, my upperclassmen friends won't stop badgering me about taking Latin. Everyone who takes it is like, OBSESSED with it. My 8th grade English teacher also will not rest until I take Latin. And it sounds like a fun language. I was thinking that I'd take Latin, then self study Spanish, so that if I decide that I don't like Latin, I can take Spanish the next year without falling behind. LOL I honestly dgaf about the whole nerdiness/intelligence thing.
 
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Ive taken both. Latin will help to a degree with the vocab. Overall though no, most of the grammar and use of latin doesn't carry over. I found latin pretty useless unless you intend to try to read something in latin
Do you think that it's reasonable to self teach Spanish? And is Latin as hard as they say?
 
Latin is a difficult beast in my opinion;your first starting beginner latin is rather easy, and you will face little to no trouble. In time,however, latin becomes a monster . You have sooooo many more additions that you can't keep up with them, appositives, new ways for verbs to behave, basically all sorts of gruesome things that you have to account for. I decided to opt out of Latin in College to take a much easy course called history. I would highly advise not taking Latin, the people asking you to take it have probably never been in a 3rd year latin course. The class average was pushing a 34/100. The teacher decided to offer rollback though, by adding 3'4s of our points back. The class would have presented a good example of welfare on steroids. Latin is difficult, 99% of the people who go through come out with a fraction of understanding;however, there are students who go home and practice latin(not one student did). It takes a lot of time to practice though, and will drain other course work.
Memory part of latin is easy, integration on the other hand is another beast.
 
Sorry for bumping, but please save yourself and do NOT take Latin just because you think it will be useful for med school. I took four years of it (mandatory), and it is not fun and it is not easy. Are there people who love it? Sure! Will you be one of them? Probably not! Unless you want to minor in Classics or read old medical books in the original, don't bother. I've also been told that to someone who's taken Latin, Spanish grammar seems really broken. And here's some docs talking about why it's a bad idea.

I'm not saying take Spanish per se, though. It's the dumping ground for people who don't really want to learn a foreign language and pick it because it's easy, and I would imagine it doesn't look quite as good on an application because it is considered the "easy" language. I would recommend German, if it's available. (If not, then definitely go with Spanish.) It's complicated enough for you to be challenged but not as hard as Latin, also has possible medical applications, and is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe, and I think--based on what my teachers have said--that it does look better. Obviously you want to learn Spanish eventually, but ahora (now) is not necessarily the time. (Am I biased...yes...sorry.)

Good luck making a choice, and if you do choose Latin (or German) and need some help with the beginning stuff, feel free to PM me.
 
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Sorry for bumping, but please save yourself and do NOT take Latin just because you think it will be useful for med school. I took four years of it (mandatory), and it is not fun and it is not easy. Are there people who love it? Sure! Will you be one of them? Probably not! Unless you want to minor in Classics or read old medical books in the original, don't bother. I've also been told that to someone who's taken Latin, Spanish grammar seems really broken. And here's some docs talking about why it's a bad idea.

I'm not saying take Spanish per se, though. It's the dumping ground for people who don't really want to learn a foreign language and pick it because it's easy, and I would imagine it doesn't look quite as good on an application because it is considered the "easy" language. I would recommend German, if it's available. (If not, then definitely go with Spanish.) It's complicated enough for you to be challenged but not as hard as Latin, also has possible medical applications, and is one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe, and I think--based on what my teachers have said--that it does look better. Obviously you want to learn Spanish eventually, but ahora (now) is not necessarily the time. (Am I biased...yes...sorry.)

Good luck making a choice, and if you do choose Latin (or German) and need some help with the beginning stuff, feel free to PM me.
Nobody is ever going to judge someone poorly for taking Spanish because it's "easy". Adcoms are impressed by Spanish because it allows to you to communicate better with a huge population, not because it was tough to learn. Spanish > German >>>> Latin for someone unsure of where in the US they may end up practicing.
 
Nobody is ever going to judge someone poorly for taking Spanish because it's "easy". Adcoms are impressed by Spanish because it allows to you to communicate better with a huge population, not because it was tough to learn. Spanish > German >>>> Latin for someone unsure of where in the US they may end up practicing.

Also, French is just as easy as Spanish, if not more so. But it's only really useful in Quebec, Europe, and certain parts of Africa. Great if you want to do MSF though!
 
Sorry if I was unclear, efle. Obviously OP should take Spanish at some point. But seeing as they're in high school (I assume), I don't think they need to be worrying about med school adcoms quite yet. Actually, I would think taking Spanish in undergrad would be better, since you're more likely to remember it when you're in med school.
 
I'd take the Spanish. Language is very hard to self-teach, you need to be practicing it with other students. Speaking Spanish fluently will be seen as a huge plus at a lot of med schools and beyond...Latin not so much.

You could still self-teach the Latin ofc

No its not. I've successfully self-taught quite a bit of languages. It just takes a tad of motivation.

And I know this is not a language-learning forum, but whatever: learning languages in a classroom is extremely unproductive.
 
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No its not. I've successfully self-taught quite a bit of languages. It just takes a tad of motivation.

And I know this is not a language-learning forum, but whatever: learning languages in a classroom is extremely unproductive.
You're like the walking symbol of r/iamverysmart
 
You're like the walking symbol of r/iamverysmart
No I'm not. I'm just saying that many things in life that the Fed may tell you are impossible are achievable.

Oh boy, I'm dipping into politics now.
 
I am also a fellow Reddit user who believes that the internet is a great way to achieve success. In fact, you can check out /r/languagelearning for more information.
 
Age does not matter. I simply want to engage in an intellectual manner. If you refuse to cooperate, then I will refuse to argue.

And OP, choose what you feel is best for you.
 
Age does not matter. I simply want to engage in an intellectual manner. If you refuse to cooperate, then I will refuse to argue.

And OP, choose what you feel is best for you.
Hah, a very clear yes. Listen, you're trying too hard, and it's obvious. I've been there - you want to show off how bright and mature you are, you want to impress, you identify with a much older crowd because people your age are just too dull and simple, you teach yourself advanced material and enjoy it - but it can really come across as an act, as taking effort, as putting on airs. Speak plainly. Know the many limits of your experience. Realize that the smartest of tweens is still in such a different world than those with even a few more years...hopefully looking back in ten years you won't have as much to cringe about as I do
 
Lol...thanks. I just feel that because I am on a website whose users are just as ambitious as I am, I must attempt to speak in an intelligent manner.

Jaysus, I have to study now because finals are tomorrow, so I'll try to debate during my study breaks.
 
The opinions of a bunch of strangers on the internet are worthless! Be yourself. Communicating even complex ideas in simple accessible language is much more impressive than careful wording and fluffed up vocab anyways

Well, I guess I'll set you up for some debate then. Pray tell, oh wise middle schooler, what has already got you convinced that we should put an end to liberal politics?
 
I simply believe that all (regardless of race or religion) voters must undergo an IQ test before making a decision. If the voter's IQ is under 100, then they should not be able to vote beyond the local level. This, as a result, will allow for only far right and far left members of politics, which is a step in the "right" direction (pun intended).
 
You know what will make it easier to learn Spanish?

Studying Spanish.

There are definitely reasons to learn Latin. But Spanish has greater immediate utility. If you want to learn multiple languages, that is wonderful. You have a lifetime. Latin will always be there.
 
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I simply believe that all (regardless of race or religion) voters must undergo an IQ test before making a decision. If the voter's IQ is under 100, then they should not be able to vote beyond the local level. This, as a result, will allow for only far right and far left members of politics, which is a step in the "right" direction (pun intended).
The far left would outnumber the far right in this scenario, as intelligence and education correlate positively with liberal ideology. That would be more likely to endtherightwing. Your own ideology (that some are better fit to direct society) followed to the end would propose a philosopher-king rather than any sort of voting system anyways, so the question becomes why you would want your philosopher-king to be conservative rather than liberal.
 
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The definition of right wing is conservative, and left wing is liberal. This describes different topics however, like economic policies (tax more vs less) and social policies (teaching creationism in science texts or not). Sounds like you actually hold social views in the left wing...which makes one wonder why you want to end it.
 
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The far left would outnumber the far right in this scenario, as intelligence and education correlate positively with liberal ideology. That would be more likely to endtherightwing. Your own ideology (that some are better fit to direct society) followed to the end would propose a philosopher-king rather than any sort of voting system anyways, so the question becomes why you would want your philosopher-king to be conservative rather than liberal.
Someone has had a lot of late night dormroom debates :)
 
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Someone has had a lot of late night dormroom debates :)
After i've had a few the phil part of my 2nd major takes over. One of my room mates keeps up and the other gets faded and just punctuates with a "whoa" every ten or fifteen minutes. College is the best
 
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Within the left wing: Communism, Socialism, Liberalism, Libertarian Socialism...
Centrism
Within the right wing: Anarco-Capitalism, Libertarianism, Conservatism...
 
Within the left wing: Communism, Socialism, Liberalism, Libertarian Socialism...
Centrism
Within the right wing: Anarco-Capitalism, Libertarianism, Conservatism...
Not quite, many of those only fit the assigned wing on one axis. For example libertarianism is conservative/right wing regarding its view of government regulation and taxation, but it is often left wing/liberal in social policy (for example libertarian ideals give no grounds for opposing gay marriage). But this doesn't answer the important question anyways: why would you want your nation run by a right wing philosopher king? Why not instead model after the current happiest and healthiest nations, which are highly progressive/liberal?
 
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Historically, both sides of the political spectrum have led to chaos and misery among its citizens. Such terror can only be prevented through the cure of all diseases: free-market capitalism.

I do not want any deity, government, or other low-level fool to rule my life. I am a free-thinker, a man who believes logic and intelligence to be the victor in any situation.

For this reason, I am a proud Libertarian atheist who has a plan to prevent society from its demise.
 
Historically, both sides of the political spectrum have led to chaos and misery among its citizens. Such terror can only be prevented through the cure of all diseases: free-market capitalism.

I do not want any deity, government, or other low-level fool to rule my life. I am a free-thinker, a man who believes logic and intelligence to be the victor in any situation.

For this reason, I am a proud Libertarian atheist who has a plan to prevent society from its demise.
I know you're serious. But I think it's relevant to point out that a satirist could have said everything that you just said (with a heavy sense of irony I might add.)
State power limits liberty, of course. Do you think living in extreme poverty is liberating? Have you ever been poor? I'm not trying to call you out, I'm genuinely curious.
 
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Not quite, many of those only fit the assigned wing on one axis. For example libertarianism is conservative/right wing regarding its view of government regulation and taxation, but it is often left wing/liberal in social policy (for example libertarian ideals give no grounds for opposing gay marriage). But this doesn't answer the important question anyways: why would you want your nation run by a right wing philosopher king? Why not instead model after the current happiest and healthiest nations, which are highly progressive/liberal?
Btw, you should check out the sociopolitical forum on here
 
Yes, I have grown up in poverty. Therefore, I made my decision that I will not tolerate any liberal lies any longer and any politician who claims to bring "peace" is no better than a piece of trash.
 
Historically, both sides of the political spectrum have led to chaos and misery among its citizens. Such terror can only be prevented through the cure of all diseases: free-market capitalism.

I do not want any deity, government, or other low-level fool to rule my life. I am a free-thinker, a man who believes logic and intelligence to be the victor in any situation.

For this reason, I am a proud Libertarian atheist who has a plan to prevent society from its demise.
Yes, I have grown up in poverty. Therefore, I made my decision that I will not tolerate any liberal lies any longer and any politician who claims to bring "peace" is no better than a piece of trash.

Consider: the period in American history in which there was the least regulation and the most corporate freedoms, the early industrial era, was also a terrifically bad time to live in urban America. Before the government intervened, children were being kept out of school because their impoverished families needed them to work triple shifts in dangerous factories. Workers had no protections regarding injury, illness, etc. Corruption was rampant. Meanwhile in modern societies the places that do the best job of preventing poverty, the best job of giving everyone access to education (and rewarding high achievers with free education for stuff like med school), that keep everyone healthy and happy...are socialist. Atlas Shrugged can be very convincing when you have a limited background in history and philosophy, but even one as persuaded as you can't really believe Scandinavia is a society built on lies and led by trash.

And ask yourself: would you surrender all of your decision making abilities to another, if a valid objective measure found their mind to be superior to yours?

I know you're serious. But I think it's relevant to point out that a satirist could have said everything that you just said (with a heavy sense of irony I might add.)
State power limits liberty, of course. Do you think living in extreme poverty is liberating? Have you ever been poor? I'm not trying to call you out, I'm genuinely curious.
I'd have congratulated him on being the best troll I've seen in a while if I hadn't had my own crazy ideas growing up

Btw, you should check out the sociopolitical forum on here
No thanks I can't stand arguments
 
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Well...good talk.

Studying language alone < with peers. Self teaching in general < learning from a talented expert (assuming you have access to that)
 
Well...good talk.

Studying language alone < with peers. Self teaching in general < learning from a talented expert (assuming you have access to that)
I wouldn't define the average language professor as a "talented expert." Hell, I wouldn't define the average professor in any subject that way.
 
I wouldn't define the average language professor as a "talented expert." Hell, I wouldn't define the average professor in any subject that way.
Agreed. Many times self teach is the way to go. But if a good engaging prof is available, use them! Textbooks often can't readily answer the best / most interesting questions

For language its more about having people to practice/study with.
 
Agreed. Many times self teach is the way to go. But if a good engaging prof is available, use them! Textbooks often can't readily answer the best / most interesting questions

For language its more about having people to practice/study with.
Yup, good thing my family is FOB!
 
I simply believe that all (regardless of race or religion) voters must undergo an IQ test before making a decision. If the voter's IQ is under 100, then they should not be able to vote beyond the local level. This, as a result, will allow for only far right and far left members of politics, which is a step in the "right" direction (pun intended).
Actually, I remember that Pew did a study, and it said that those who had conservative ideologies tended to have significantly lower IQs than those that had liberal ideologies.
 
Just curious, are you also FEELIN' THE BERN for 2016?
Agreed. Many times self teach is the way to go. But if a good engaging prof is available, use them! Textbooks often can't readily answer the best / most interesting questions

For language its more about having people to practice/study with.
 
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