Puella pulchra puerum malum non amat.

Puella puerum malum pulchra non amat.

Puerum malum pulchra puella non amat.

Non amat puella malum puerum pulchra.

How can this be? In English the order of the words plays an important role in what the words mean in the sentence, but in Latin the endings of words are of primary importance in determining the grammatical meaning.

In Latin, the most important positions in a sentence or clause are first and last, but, as long as the endings stay the same, the basic meaning does not change.  There are standards for expectations in the Latin word order, but the flexibility of syntax allows authors the ability to create useful and interesting effects in their writing.  

The multiplicity of Latin endings and stem changes, each of which signifies a grammatical change, supports the flexibility of Latin syntax.  It is a trade-off.   In English, the lack of inflections creates the need for strict rules of word order.  This is why English speakers sometimes find the logical structure of Latin inflections, paired with the “out-of-order” syntax, so maddening. It contradicts our expectations.  

The good news is that a huge majority of big English words, like “circumambulate” (which is found in the novel Moby Dick), derive from Latin.

Apparently there were “experts” saying that when spelled backwards, Blue Ivy becomes Eulb Yvi which means Lucifer’s daughter in Latin. I tried google translate and it gave me this translation “Luciferi filia.” It did not gave me at least the word Eulb or Yvi. While if you enter the name Blue Ivy, the Latin translation would be Aenean Ivy. So this rumor has spread online because some people quickly believed it without even having the sense to google up the Latin translation.

Another theory says that IVY is an acronym for “Illuminati’s Very Youngest.” While BLUE stands for “Baby Living Under Evil.” We are aware about the issues before about celebrities being part of Illuminati. And it has been said that Beyonce and Jay-Z are part of this elusive and elite Illuminati of the rich and famous. But actually IVY and BLUE can make a lot of meanings, whatever we want to symbolize those letters. So this conspiracy must be dropped too!

There are still a lot of theories I was reading a while ago. But it was all equally baseless so I’d rather not include it here. This baby is getting so much attention. Such an innocent little angel not even a week on Earth yet people have managed to associate her with Lucifer and Evil. How crazy is that? Wonder what Bey and Jay-Z might be feeling about this. Of course, they’ll be very upset! ^^

Image via Wikipedia

I studied Latin at school for three years, I hated it. But annoyingly was one of the best in my class. I wasn’t sure what secondary school to go to, but was sure of one thing, I WASN’T doing Latin, to the disapproval of my teacher. My first point is it is hard. Having Italian links helped me a lot with vocab but I saw the stress in my friends eyes as they tried to learn three hundred words they have never seen before in a week. My second point is its useless. Whenever I say this to people who did or do it, they all say it is actually very useful for others languages but I am now studying three languages, Italian, Spanish and French. I have been doing them for a number of years and have found very little links. I’ll accept that the are a number of links with Italian but seeing as I already knew it it made little difference. Some say that it raises your intellect but I disagree, history for example, is a lot more useful and looks a lot better on your cv. So my one tip for you is don’t waste your effort and time on studying Latin.

Hopefully these help you throughout life! Glad if I could help. The best thing you can do is go through lists, and see what you can learn from prefixes and suffixes. Generally vocabulary is good for working through the SAT or ACT, but it can also help when reading, in every day life, and while speaking to someone. So whatever you do, keep sharpening the sword of your brain, it’s smarter and has more potential than you think.

            Although I didn’t know it at the time, this quote has been, and will continue to be, the reason I have achieved everything up until that point.  For as long as I can remember my dream has been to become a doctor, specializing in orthopedics.  In all these years there hasn’t been one assignment in class or task outside school that hasn’t advanced that goal. I grasped the required knowledge in a college preparatory curriculum.  As the primary presenter for Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), I cured the stage fright which once paralyzed me.  Everything I have learned since the age of five enabled me the work ethic essential to excel.

            Whenever possible, I seize opportunities to learn about my chosen area of study.  The majority of the community service hours I have completed were spent volunteering with an ambulance service.  The knowledge I gained while I was assisting there, supported by my background knowledge from TATU and Anatomy & Physiology and further fired my enthusiasm for orthopedics.  Through these experiences I am beginning to understand the role teachers have played in my life.

A teacher’s goal is not simply to prepare a student for the next exam, but to prepare learners for the tests and trials of adult life.  Take group assignments, for example.  These seemingly simple tasks are meant to familiarize students with a multitude of personalities.  People learn who they work best with, how to stay focused, and most importantly: teamwork.  This skill is necessary for my future as an orthopedic surgeon.  I will not always be working with the same group of nurses, so it is important to make a team out of the temperaments surrounding me.  

            Students also receive different styles of instruction from their teachers.  Labs in science are not just amusing for students, book work is not just a punishment for a classes’ poor behavior and coloring worksheets aren’t assigned just because they’re easy to grade.  Oddly enough, as students, we take life lessons from each of these assignments without realizing it.  Book work provides the background required to succeed in the labs, worksheets help to emphasize and reinforce the learning.  Each brain is wired different, so no two people have identical learning styles.  Understanding this allowed me to overcome challenges and achieve great knowledge in Chemistry. 

Beginning in kindergarten, the adults worked to help their students see life through a unique lens.  Knowing how we learn will be of great assistance in college, for our careers, and even after retirement.  People never stop learning, whether they’re in school or out, so this is yet another life skill that will foster personal growth.

            “Not for school, but for life,” in only six words, defines a way of life.  All of the lessons taken from school are not purely academic.  Some of these lessons don’t even come to light until later in life when we are struck by the need to practice these skills.  Observing certain human behaviors now, it is clear which people strive for this lifestyle.  Pondering this, I realized that this is the difference between the ordinary doctor and the remarkable individual.

While much of Bede’s youth is left a mystery a few things are known. Bede was born to parents of St. Peter, which was newly founded in 672. He was born in Wearmouth and at the young age of seven was given to a monastery in Jarrow by his relatives. It appeared that Bede’s parents did not have much to do with him during his life, as they do not appear in any of his writings. However, in the monasteries Bede was in the care of Abbot Benedicts and he was eventually moved to the twin house of the monastery located in Jarrow when Bede was replaced by Ceolfrith in the first monastery. However, according to the Life of Ceolfrith, Ceolfrith does not seem to dislike Bede and even suggests that they were the only two people of the monasteries to survive a plague. By the time that Bede was 19 years[3] old he had became a deacon at the monastery and was teaching the monastic rule.[4] Bede did not travel, very much, that historians know of. His writings suggests that he left the monasteries several times but the only concrete evidence is of two visits outside of Jarrow; once to Lindisfarne and once to York.

Bede in the monasteries learned much and became a well educated man. Bede was fluent in writing and speaking Latin as well as Greek. Bede became a teacher in the monasteries and taught prayer and other studies to the monks. Bede becoming a monk at a very young age helped him to succeed in the monasteries because that was his way of life and he did not know anything other than what he learned in the monasteries. Bede’s knowledge of Latin was very fluent and can be found throughout his writings as well as his knowledge of Hebrew. Evidence of this is located with the Bible that he transcribed into Latin. However, recent suggestions made, seem to suggest that Bede knew some knowledge of Greek. Possible enough to read, but not enough to interpret the critical thinking involved in Greek literature. A few Greek phrases that were recorded by Bede have been borrowed by Felix, another monk at the monastery, but not much has been investigated to know how well Bede knew Greek. However the evidence still suggests that Bede knew some Greek, to the extent, historians are still trying to determine. [5]

While in the monasteries Bede became very knowledgeable. He used his learning to create several works that dealt with a variety of topics: theology, chronology, history etc. Bede’s work while being lengthy was remarkable in the clarity and quality, and the range of material covered. Bede’s theological works of the bible were done in a way the attempted to eliminate discrepancies. Bede read and interpreted the Bible as an allegory and by trying to eliminate the discrepancies in order for the Bible to become more widely accepted during the early medieval period. Bede completed two works the dealt with chronology. De Temporibus (On Times) and De Temporum Ratione (On the Reckoning of Time), both were dealing with the dating of Easter. During the time several discrepancies came about dealing with calendars and the dates on religious festivals. Bede was able invent the use of A.D. for the years after Christ’s death, making modern calculations of ancient times easier to keep track of. Not only did he come up with A.D., but while he was working on the dating of Easter, he paid particular attention to astronomy. Bede noticed how the moon affected the tides and was very observant of nature and science.

Bede as an historian took on many different aspects. In his books he discussed the reign and leaders of early England as well as discussing many matters that deal with the church and the Popes. By writing about these matters Bede was able to illustrate the lives of Anglo-Saxon’s living in England for modern historians, and left much of what we know today, on the lifestyles that they lived.  The Ecclesiastical History of the English People[6] is compiled of five books written by Bede all of which are untitled but contain a variety of information. The first book contains information regarding the diversity of races and the geography of Britain, then in book two Bede deals with Christianity and after Pope Gregory’s death. Books three and four deal with the success of different people and includes miracles deemed as being an act of God, book five also incorporates miraculous stories of God as well as the dating of Easter.

Book one of the Ecclesiastical History of the English People begins by describing Britain and Ireland in terms of location. This book seems to discuss the oldest amount of information know to him at the time, and deals with ancient inhabitants and the troubles that they encountered. Bede then moves into the Roman impact on Britain and discuss the arrival of Julius Caesar and Claudius. After this Bede begins discussing the Kings of Britain and the Christianity impact that the kings had upon Britain. Lucius being the first king desired to become a Christian, while a few years later during the reign of Diocletian, the Christians were persecuted. The majority of the first book written by Bede can be summed up into a kings list of Britain but also includes the impact of the kings and their connections with the Church, Christianity, and the Pope’s during each king’s reign. The latter portion of book one deals with Pope Gregory and the letters that were sent by him to different individuals during the time. [7]

Bede’s second book begins with the death of Pope Gregory and continues into discusses St. Augustine’s discussion of the Popes death and the impact. Then flows back into the discussion of kings, Ethelbert and Sabert, the beginnings of Pope Boniface and his letters as well as his advises to Queen Ethelberga. The latter six chapters, of Bede’s second book, deal with King Edwin and his reign.

The Third book picks up with the succession of King Edwin and Oswald becoming king. However, the majority of book three deals with the miracles that occurred after King Oswald’s death and the miraculous powers of Oswald’s tomb, and the place where he was killed. Some of the miracles that Bede discusses in Book three are: the curing of a young girl of Palsy, a boy cured of an ague[8], and the powers of the bones of Oswald being able to remove devils and demons from the possessed. From these stories one can realize Bede’s faith to the church and to God. However, in relation to his book these stories dealing with the supernatural seemed to almost be out of place, as most of the information derived in the five books of Bede, contains information regarding Kings, Popes, etc. who are tangible beings that have left concrete evidence of their existence. After discussing the miraculous powers of King Oswald, Bede continues discussing the kings, bishops and popes.

With the beginning of Book Four Bede recaps the miraculous powers of Oswald’s tomb only this time with the powers of St. Cuthbert. Once again there was people dying that were cured, and the curing of palsy. While this book seemed more fitting to place the powers of Oswald’s tomb the collection of five books are in chronological order and therefore placed in the order that events occurred.  Oswald’s tomb was just the beginning of miraculous powers that would occur in England, from God through the church; this could be a representation of how faith and the church began playing a more prominent role in society. Not only were society and the people supporting the church more but there was a more peaceful existence between the kings and the church itself. In book four there was also the bishop who made peace between two kings, this illustrated the aid of the church helping the kings to become a more peaceful and church centered nation.

Finally in book five, Bede goes into more depth with Britain in relation to the church and discusses in detail the Bishop John. John held powers similar to that of Oswald and Cuthbert. John cured a dumb man by blessing him, used prayers to heal a sick maiden, healed an earl’s wife that was sick by using holy water, and recovered one of the earl’s servants from death. John performed several miraculous acts that Bede documented. Of the miracles performed those that had been revived from the dead brought with them stories of heaven and books containing all their sins etc that is common to the events that occur in the Holy Bible. The majority of the final book illustrates strength in the church as well as the conversion of several people into Christianity.

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People contains five manuscripts put together that were all well written by Bede. The manuscripts can be read either separately or together as a whole. Possibly more fitting to be read together and for the books to actually be treated more as chapters since it does follow chronological order. While most of the written information during the time is skewed and full of fragments, Bede keeps everything flowing in simple terms that people can follow easily.

However, the great Venerable Bede died in 735, at the age of 63. After accomplishing much in his lifetime as a monk, he left historians today with the information that they needed to understand Anglo-Saxon England. Without the work of Bede everything out have been left to the archaeologists to uncover. The amount of information provided by Bede would have then been scattered with missing pieces and a kings list may or may not have been completed.  Bede was ill much of his life and according to Cuthbert, often he was breathless. Bede was breathless throughout the year with the exception of two days before and after Easter and Cuthbert writes in a letter about Bede’s death that those days was when Bede was most joyful. Cuthbert also writes about how in the room that Bede died, Bede had written scriptures and prayers on the walls of the room and spend his dying days still praying and worshiping God.

For the entirety of Bede’s life he was devoted to prayer and worship in the monastery at Jarrow. From age seven forward his knowledge increased and it can be seen from his learning of language and teachings, that he believed in and put time and effort into the monasteries. Bede lived to be 63, and he only left the monastery twice after he entered. Bede began his work by translating the Bible from Hebrew into Latin. Then from there wrote numerous books and letters in regards to religion and the outside world that he excluded himself from. Bede’s works contain detailed historical accounts of early Britain during the Anglo-Saxon times and was able to write with such clarity that makes his work still stand out today. Bede’s life was a model of success however as Cuthbert mentions in his letter upon Bede’s death, much of his inspiration came from orphans of the monasteries, since Bede himself could relate to them. Bede’s parents were not discussed during his life, he was left under the care of someone else shortly after he was born and became a monk shortly after. For Bede it may have seemed that life on earth was nothing to life for but the afterlife through faith was all the human beings have in order to keep them going through life. Either way, Bede clearly demonstrates the theme of Britain going from diversity to unity within The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, his most known work of literature.

Bibliography

Bede, Venerable. The History of the Church of Englande . Translated by Thomas Stapleton. Amsterdam: Da Capo Press, 1970.

Bolton, W.F. “An Aspect of Bede’s Later Knowledge of Greek .” The Classical Review (Cambridge University Press) 13, no. 1 (Mar 1963): 17-18.

Chaney, William A. “Review: [untitled].” Church History (Cambridge University Press) 66, no. 2 (Jun 1997): 324.

Colgrave, Bertram. “Review: [untitled].” The English Historical Review (Oxford University Press) 63, no. 248 (Jul 1948): 363-365.

Je, C. “Review: [untitled].” The English Historical Review (Oxford University Press) 62, no. 242 (Jan 1947): 117.

Roberts, Clayton, David Roberts, and Douglas R. Bisson. A History of England . 5th Edition. Edited by Charles Cavaliere. Vol. I Prehistory to 1714. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. , 2009.

Rosenthal, Joel T. “Bede’s Ecclesiastical History and the Material Conditions of Anglo-Saxon Life.” Journal of British Studies (The University of Chicago Press) 19, no. 1 (Autumn 1979): 1-17.

Sweet, Alfred H. “Review: [untitled].” The American Historical Review (The University of Chicago Press) 42, no. 4 (Jul 1937): 721-722.

Venerable, Bede. Ecclesiastical History of the English People . Translated by Leo Sherley Price, R.E. Latham and D.H. Farmer. London: Penguin , 1990.

[1] Venerable Bede entered Wearmouth, the monk monastery at age seven and spent his life there and at Jarrow devoting his entire life in devotion to God and the Church as well as to study.

[2] From Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People

[3] An example of the knowledge of Bede since the age for a deacon during the time period was 25 years old or older. Bede was displaying great knowledge and devotion to the monasteries at a very young age. Priests were supposed to be over 30 years old.

[4] The monastic rule consisted of Bede teaching both a mixture of prayers and studies.

[5] Information regarding the investigation into Bede’s knowledge of Greek can be located in the article An Aspect of Bede’s Later Knowledge of Greek by W. F. Bolton.

[6] The Ecclesiastical History of the English People was compiled from manuscripts found that Bede had written and was firs printed as one collection in 1480

[7] Letters that were sent by Pope Gregory were sent to bishops, kings, and a variety of people that Bede felt important.

[8] Ague is a feverish condition that is alternating between hot and cold, the feverish conditions are similar to that of malaria and in the case of the boy, he was dying and would be dead within the day’s time. However, after listening to a man and going to Oswald’s tomb he was better within three days. 

ab, a (from, down, away, Latin) = abstract, aversion, abject, abnormal.

ante (before, Latin) = antecedent, antebellum,antemeridian(A.M).

bi (two, Latin) = bicycle, bifurcate, bicarbonate.

circum, circa ( around, about, Latin) = circa 1900, circumambulate, circumference.

contra, counter (against, Latin) = contraindication, contradict, counterbalance

di, dis, dif (away, from, apart, Latin) = disinfectant, disperse, different.

extra ( beyond, Latin) = extraordinary, extraneous.

inter (among, between, Latin) = international, intercept, intervention.

intra, intro (within, inside of, Latin) = introspection, intravenous.

multi, multus (many, much, Latin) = multifaceted, multitudinous, multistory.

omni (all, everywhere, Latin) = omnipotent, omnivorous, omniscient.

post (after, behind, Latin) = postdated, posthumous, postmeridian ( P.M).

pre (before, Latin) = precedent, precept, preposition.

re (back, again, Latin) = rejuvenate, recreate, regeneration, renaissance

retro (back, backward, Latin) = retrospect, retro running, retrograde.

se (apart, aside, Latin ) = seclusion, selection, separation.

sub (under, less than, inferior, Latin) = subordinate, subterranean, submarine.

super, supra (above, superior, Latin) = superfluous, superintendent, soprano.

trans (across, through, Latin ) = translation, transcontinental, transient, transit.

ultra (beyond, on other side of ) = ultramodern, ultra orthodox, ultrasound.

The above list contains only 20 prefixes out of hundreds in use in contemporary English. You must have observed that in no time you can decipher the meanings of hundreds of words which you hitherto have believed to be a very tedious activity. This is the magic of knowing Latin. Even a cursory knowledge of this language can do wonders for you and you can be much more confident next time you have an interview, a meeting or just a chit chat with your friends

http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?one=azt&two=aaa&id=278&typ=reg

In Mexico they celebrate an annual tradition called Day of the Dead at the end of October/ beginning of November, the festivities so prolonged that  people involved in it called it The Cult of Death. Many Latin American countries commemorate the Day of the Dead – All Souls’ Day – on November 2nd.

Graphically manifest throughout this time legacy of past civilizations is the belief of people that death is but a transition from one life to another, and that communication between the living and the dead is a reality.

These All Souls’ Day customs were established by early Mexican civilizations long before Catholic beliefs were introduced, so the Day of the Dead  is far from mournful, but instead a happy and colorful celebration.

http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?one=azt&two=aaa&id=278&typ=reg

Mexican people believe that souls do not die, but continue living in Mictlan, a resting place for souls, where spirits rest before returning to visit relatives. Before Catholicism, the return of the souls celebrations were between July and August, changed to November 2nd to coincide with Catholic Church festivities.

On November 1st, children’s souls are honoured, special altar designs using white flowers and candles, while on the following day adult souls are remembered with various rituals. 

http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?one=azt&two=aaa&id=278&typ=reg

This is ancestral tradition blended with Catholicism, creating a special remembrance and honouring of deceased loved through offerings of ofrenda – the fragrance of the flowers, candle light, the spicy smells of special foods and of course prayers.

 Even so, it is also seen as a time for jokes and fun, often mocking death with person-related calaveras poetry. Confectionary and other sweet kinds of skull, often composed of sugar, chocolate and amaranth are exchanged so that people can eat their own death.

Many special crafts are on display at this time, alluding to different aspects of the living, skeletons everywhere representing activities that get performed every day, and many ritualistic dances also form part of the celebrations honouring the deceased in many places

http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?one=azt&two=aaa&id=278&typ=re

However celebrated, these Day of the Dead festivities represent a time of reflection about the meaning of life, death in many situations imparting a feeling of pain and loss, though many see death as resurrection transcendence and transformation. These feelings and beliefs help bring the memory of the loved ones to life at this time.

This extraordinary celebration concludes in many Mexican towns with the cemetery vigil, sometimes done for the entire night of November 1st to November 2nd though in other areas done during the day. Though mysticism rules in cemeteries, music is also part of the ritual.  Prayers spoken alongside the sounds of mariachi trumpet playing by tombs or at cemetery entrances. This is a completely different and very interesting take on the period western nations celebrate through Hallowe’en.

http://www.mexicolore.co.uk/index.php?one=azt&two=aaa&id=278&typ=reg

According to the Oxford Dictionary the word sic has four different definitions in the context that it is used in.

1.       Sic – as mentioned before used within brackets as [sic] is an editing term that means ‘as it appeared in the original.’ It is used while printing or publishing.

2.       Sic- Set a dog on someone. Spoken in the context of seeking out or catching something or someone. Pronounced as sick.

3.       Sic – can be used in a context while implying that someone is sick.

4.       Sic – Sicilian – Sicilian – is a Romance Language (branch of Indo-European Language Family, consists of all languages that were derived from Vulgar form of Latin. There are about eight hundred million native speakers of this language strewn all across the world. Vulgar Latin was also the spoken language of ancient Roman Empire. Many modern languages like

Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French and Romanian Etc have derived from Vulgar Latin.)

Sicilian is spoken in a dialect that comprises the Extreme-Southern Italian Language group, spoken in the Island of Sicily and the surrounding Islands.

Some usage of Sic are mentioned here as well; as wordplay ”Poor grammar makes me [sic]” has been used in many postcards and clothing; To ridicule  ”styley [sic], confident, sexy, glamorous, edgy, clean and individual, with it’s [sic] finger on the fashion pulse.” And so on. Many people make the mistake of identifying (sic) as “said in context,” “spelled in context,” “said in copy,” “spelling is correct,” “spelled incorrectly,” and many other forms. I sincerely hope that after reading this article the different meaning and usage of this word will be correctly understood by everyone.