I decided to write a journal in Latin to practice grammar, enrich vocabulary, etc, but I’m having a hard time. I studied from Cambridge Latin Course for two years so I’m used to “standard” way of structuring the sentence, but I would like to write in a more sophisticated way. What should I do? Someone suggested that I read a lot of works from one specific author of my choice, then kinda immitate his style. That sounds like a good suggestion to me, but I don’t know where to start. Please help me!
My usual one-size-fits-all answer is Lingua Latina, and I feel it is appropriate here as well. The Pars II Roma Aeterna leads the student into learning Latin directly from the authors in a gradual, progressive way, acquainting him with common sentence structures until the student is reading directly from the ancient texts naturally.
Otherwise, try keeping a journal that we can read regularly.
Also, rather natural constructions, with a perfectly modern bent, are found in John Traupman’s Conversational Latin.
Besides what Lucus Eques has recommended you, I would suggest you writing short tales or stories from your imagination. I think Latin is usually corrupted by many ways, one of this is writing without any sense, i.e., writing in order to write without following an end as if you were chattering. Vel male uel bene, loquere cum Marco, is what someone would tell you. I do not.
"I would suggest you writing short tales or stories from your imagination. "
Miror amice docte num liceat nobis legere aliquas historias fabulasve tuo calamo tuo ingenioso productas…? Amabo te.
I think Gonzalo has a good point. Though I don’t see the harm in “chattering” in Latin (ita infantes loquere incipiunt), I think themed writing of any sort is much better. It allows you to strengthen vocabulary and grammatical forms by repitition, gives you a chance to utilize some creativity, provides a draft which you can polish and rework as your knowledge of Latin grows, and also lets you practice using certain styles.
But, as I said, I think the exercise of any language skill in any way is better than not at all. Though, sicut ait Lucus, I think a Latin journal is an excellent place to begin and to share. Traupman’s book has some logical modern Latin to use and there are other resources for new vocabulary (including the kind folks at Textkit!) online as well. Also, ut dixit Gonzalo, directed prose is also very good for your Latin no matter what your level or theme.
Best,
Chris