Before I knew anything at all about Latin, I looked up ‘friend’ in Wheelock’s and figured that the name ‘friend’ in Latin would be Amice (i.e., the vocative). I’m now getting through chapter 3 of Wheelock’s and the Awful Truth has reared its head and says, “Girl dog - Amica, Boy dog - Amicus” My dog is female so her name should be Amica, is this correct?
When I call my dog should I use the vocative? “Hey, Amica!” (well, that’s the same for feminine) If I happened to have a male dog named Amicus would I have to call, “Hey, Amice”?
One more question. Is this sentence correct? “Amicam in agro video.” I see Amica (the dog) in the field.
If you are addressing your dog then yes it should be Amice, but the actual name should be nominative (from the word nomen, nominis “name”).
I’m now getting through chapter 3 of Wheelock’s and the Awful Truth has reared its head and says, “Girl dog - Amica, Boy dog - Amicus” My dog is female so her name should be Amica, is this correct?
Yes, Amica would be the feminine form.
When I call my dog should I use the vocative? “Hey, Amica!” (well, that’s the same for feminine) If I happened to have a male dog named Amicus would I have to call, “Hey, Amice”?
Yes, vocative is used for addressing or calling someone (vocative is from vocare “to call”)
One more question. Is this sentence correct? “Amicam in agro video.” I see Amica (the dog) in the field.
Correct.
My brain hurts!!! >
Didn’t you read the warning label on the cover for Wheelock’s Latin?
Thanks very much for your quick reply and help. I’ve just picked up and read the first story about Pandora in 38 Latin Stories and I can see how names are used in different cases there. It’s very satisfying to be able to read an actual story and not just exercise sentences.
