Demonstratives

[devdev142]

Can anyone recommend a way to help memorize them?

[Rufus Gulielmus]

Salve, devdev142!

The demonstratives is, ea, id are definitely tricky, but once you get a few general rules down they should be a breeze. Here's how I keep them straight.

- Across all genders, the dative singular is the same--eī.
- Across all genders, the genitive singular is the same--eius
- The neuter follows the "neuter rule", ie., the nominative and accusative are always the same, in both the singular and the plural.
- The neuter plural (ea) is always the same as the feminine singular (ea)

Other than those things, you should also pay attention to the thematic vowels. In the masculine, this is an o, though a u shows up in the accusative singular eum. In the feminine, the thematic vowel is an a.

I'm not really sure how clear this all was, but hopefully it helps a bit. There aren't really any mnemonics to help memorize these things, but it is helpful to notice and recognize certain patterns.

Fortuna bona tibi!
Rufus

[metrodorus]

You might find the comparative tables I made useful:
http://www.e.millner.btinternet.co.uk/l ... ammar.html

[Junya]

As well as demonstrative, I haven't completely memorized the paradigm of other inflections.
I just know where to see in the grammar or dictionary when I am inconfident with my memory in reading Latin.
I guess this is ok with a beginner like me, and I will automatically have memorized all the inflections after consulting the paradigm in grammar or dictionary hundreds of times.

[Bretonus]

Salvete

I also had the same problem, Junya. I found by the time I hit lesson 16 in the Latinum podcast I was strong in both the singular and plural of the first 3 declensions, however it is lacking in material of the 4th and 5th, but I'm only up to lesson 23. Lingua Latina has really helped me hold on to the 4th and 5th declensions.

As for memorizing the inflection the demonstrative takes in the singular neuter, I always kept that common abbreviation we use in English (i.e. = id est) in mind as a reminder.

[metrodorus]

Hello Bretonus,

I am always curious how users are finding the Latinum podcast. Adler goes slowly, only gradually adding things.

Lesson 16 is still early days. However, if you have anything to compare Latinum to, that you have used elsewhere, I would be interested to hear of your experiences of using the podcast. Are you finding that the Latin is becoming more intuitive? How often are you listening to Latin? How are you using the podcast?

Feedback from a user like you is really valuable for me, as I make subtle adjustments in how I present the episodes in response to comments and crit.
Metrodorus