Living Latin: Everyday Language and Popular Culture

Latin was a language of ordinary people, used by workers, weavers, violets, and roses, and is a common and democratic archive of world history. This book argues that it is just as worthy of readers attention as the famous classics and reassesses them in the light of popular concerns.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Latin, a language of ordinary people, has a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years. Contrary to popular belief, this book explores the evidence that exists for ordinary Latin around the Roman world, arguing that it is just as worthy of readers' attention as the famous classics. The classics are reassessed in the light of popular concerns, as works of art that evoke ancient, sustainable, and communal ways of living, encompassing broad and diverse traditions of readers throughout time.

Latin lived on after the Roman empire, evolving into two distinct streams: intellectual lingua franca and a series of Romance languages. This account revisits what happened to the language after the Roman empire, tracing its twin streams into the twenty-first century. What emerges is a human chain stretching back thousands of years and still in existence today, a story of workers, weavers, violets, roses, storytellers, and musicians, a common and democratic archive of world history.

Kerrigan's strong and attractive case for a new conception of Latin sends out a call to arms to reevaluate the place of Latin in history. On the one hand, this book offers an interesting and readable history of the language, on the other, it sets out to provoke questions for readers, students, and teachers of Latin, as well as anyone interested in the ancient Mediterranean world. Latin was and should always be for all.

In conclusion, Latin is a language of extraordinary richness and diversity, with a history that spans thousands of years and continues to influence modern languages and cultures. This book offers a fresh perspective on Latin, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the importance of ordinary Latin in the Roman world. By reassessing the classics in the light of popular concerns and tracing the evolution of Latin into the twenty-first century, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of language and history. Whether you are a reader, student, or teacher of Latin or simply interested in the ancient Mediterranean world, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the power and beauty of this ancient language.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 137 x 216 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350377035