• Why should I study Latin?
     
    roman speaker
    There are a multitude of reasons why Latin is still a useful language to study.  First and foremost, you don't have to settle for a translation when reading Caesar or Cicero, you can read the words they spoke, and make your own translations and inferrences.  Also, having a solid understanding of Latin will provide useful insight into the English language and allow you to reflect on the actual meanings of many modern words. 
     
    Second, Latin better than any other discipline allows you to connect with the past.  Latin has been a spoken language for thousands of years, and there have been documented cases where groups with different mother tongues have been able to communicate and work together through their shared knowledge of Latin.  Latin bridges social, geographical, and political boundaries and allows people to bridge intellectual gaps and find common ground.
     
    Finally, while many different types of studies can give you this or that particular benefit, Latin offers an especially high overall value, incorporating a better understanding of the nature of many modern English words.  This understanding can help with every other course of study you undertake, making it essentially a learning booster you can apply to other areas.