Regarding texts for Latin: I did use Keith Sidwell's _Reading Medieval Latin_
this last Spring in my informal Latin reading group. We skipped around in it,
but found that it taught more than just "reading." We enjoyed the choice of
selections, the notes, and the sense that we were studying medieval culture
simultaneously. For me, that is an important consideration: learning a
language is more than decoding words and syntax, it is a way into medieval
mentalities. Consequently, I think Latin is an essential skill in the field.
No matter how good the translation, English cannot reproduce the structure or
nuances of the original language.
By the way, having an informal Latin reading group accomplishes
several things: it keeps my skills up, allows my graduate students to study
medieval Latin (not offered in our classics department), and brings about a
kind of comaraderie at the same time that it instills discipline. I cannot
imagine pursuing a degree in medieval studies without some kind of competence
in Latin, since its usage is ubiquitous in both the primary and secondary
literature. Even if I am not a Latin "specialist," I ought to know enough to
read the specialists and know what they are talking about. The same applies
to paleography and other "scientific" subdisciplines within medieval
studies--grad students need enough exposure to read intelligently, and need
specialized training as it relates to their research. A working knowledge of
Latin I would consider basic to any medieval research; this comes from someone
who readily admits to struggling with Latin.
Karen Jolly
History
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
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