Simple question... I have noticed that whenever languages are discussed in Latin, a case that I can't label is used. This way, one says "Latine", "Anglice", "Graece", though I have seen at least one instance of "in Latina" (ablative). What is this case used with languages, how is it used, and where else is it used?
If one wanted to say "in old English", would one say "Anglice antique"... I doubt it, but since adjectives agree in gender, case and number with what they modify, I don't see why say "no".
Case used with language names
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Re: Case used with language names
Latinè, anglicè, graecè.
They're adverbs, ArthurusNoviEboraci, hence with a grave accent on the last letter of each. So "anciently in English (Englishly)" (as a pair of adverbs which don't themselves inflect) is OK, I believe.
Adverbia sunt, Arthure, ergo accentum gravem habet littera omnium terminans. Deinde, ut opinor, "antiquè anglicè" dicere (ut jugum adverbiorum quae ipsa non inflectuntur) tibi licet.
They're adverbs, ArthurusNoviEboraci, hence with a grave accent on the last letter of each. So "anciently in English (Englishly)" (as a pair of adverbs which don't themselves inflect) is OK, I believe.
Adverbia sunt, Arthure, ergo accentum gravem habet littera omnium terminans. Deinde, ut opinor, "antiquè anglicè" dicere (ut jugum adverbiorum quae ipsa non inflectuntur) tibi licet.
I'm writing in Latin hoping for correction, and not because I'm confident in how I express myself. Latinè scribo ut ab omnibus corrigar, non quod confidenter me exprimam.
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Re: Case used with language names
Could it be the ablative singular of a masculine adjective?ArthurusNoviEboraci wrote:Simple question... I have noticed that whenever languages are discussed in Latin, a case that I can't label is used. This way, one says "Latine", "Anglice", "Graece", though I have seen at least one instance of "in Latina" (ablative). What is this case used with languages, how is it used, and where else is it used?
I don't see why not. You could also add "in" as a preposition to make it clear.ArthurusNoviEboraci wrote:If one wanted to say "in old English", would one say "Anglice antique"... I doubt it, but since adjectives agree in gender, case and number with what they modify, I don't see why say "no".
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Re: Case used with language names
No, because it's a long ē. There are no adjectives with such a form.Einhard wrote:Could it be the ablative singular of a masculine adjective?
Dic mihi, Damoeta, 'cuium pecus' anne Latinum?
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Re: Case used with language names
"Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate" (Guillielmus de Ockham). Frustrà fit per casum inventum quod potest fieri per formam exstantem.
"Alternatives ought never to be posited if not necessary" (William Occam). No need to invent a new case if a form exists already.
"Alternatives ought never to be posited if not necessary" (William Occam). No need to invent a new case if a form exists already.
I'm writing in Latin hoping for correction, and not because I'm confident in how I express myself. Latinè scribo ut ab omnibus corrigar, non quod confidenter me exprimam.
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Re: Case used with language names
Guillielmus de Ockham was right!! I was getting my vocative mixed up with my ablative! Now that's embarassing. Any chance I can just disappear that post and pretend like nothing ever happened?!adrianus wrote:"Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate" (Guillielmus de Ockham). Frustrà fit per casum inventum quod potest fieri per formam exstantem.
"Alternatives ought never to be posited if not necessary" (William Occam). No need to invent a new case if a form exists already.
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Re: Case used with language names
Anglice, Latine etc. are adverbs. He spoke Latinishly.
'in Latina' is short for 'in lingua Latin' or 'in the Latin tongue (language)'.
Hope this helps.
'in Latina' is short for 'in lingua Latin' or 'in the Latin tongue (language)'.
Hope this helps.
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