The Tribune - Windows -Word Power

Say that again
Brinder Aulakh

LATIN makes its presence felt elegantly and substantially in English. The largest numer of words and phrases from another language in English is from Latin, the language of ancient Rome.

Vocabulary in medicine, law, literature and that of common parlance admits Latin words and phrases for punch and precision. These, over a period of time, have become an integral part of the English language and contribute clarity and effectiveness in expressing meaning. Latin prefixes and suffixes are constantly used to coin new words: human thought, experience, inventions and discoveries are increasing and need to be described with precision. Increasing proficiency in language use is an important part of becoming an adult with effective and efficient communication skills of which a concise use of words is an important element.

And now, how’s your Latin doing?

I Match the Latin phrases in column A with their meanings in English in Column B

Column A	Column B
1. ad hoc	a) unique; in a class by himself, herself, itself
2. persona non grata	b) The voice of the people is the voice of God.
3. magna cum laude	c) a master piece; a crowning achievement
4. sui generis	d) let the buyer beware; a warning.
5. magnum opus	e) an indispens-able condition
6. carpe diem	f) with honour
7. sine quanon	g) manner of oper-ating; characteristic manner of procedure
8. ipso facto	h) an unacceptable person
9. modus operandi	i) for this purpose; temporary
10. vox populi, vox Dei	j) something given for something received; a fair exchange
11. caveat emptor	k) by the very fact
12. quid pro quo	l) seize the day

II a) Write the number which the italicised letters in each word indicate. Look up the dictionary for the meaning of the words.

1. tricolour, 2. millipede, 3. primogeniture, 4. octopus, 5. quinquennium, 6. December, 7. nonagenarian, 8. sextant, 9. quadrilingual, 10. centurion, 11. septentrional, 12. novena, 13. sesquicentennial, 14. biennial

b) Write Latin or Greek against each of the following words to indicate the source language.

1. quatrain, 2. dilemma, 3. nonagon, 4. primordial, 5. duodenum, 6. Decalogue, 7. Pentecost, 8. quarantine, 9. hectacomb, 10. semester, 11. monophobia, 12. binocular, 13. monastery, 14. Heptameron.

III Complete the following Latin phrases and pair them with their meanings

1. hic ....	a) in its proper place
2. nune aut...	b) Honours carry the burden of responsibility.
3. prima...	c) To the good, all things are good.
4. ... habet onus	d) ‘Here lies’ the first words of an inscription on a tombstone.
5. ... loco	e) at first glance of preliminary examination
6. omnia...bonis	f) Now or never.

Answer key

I 1-i, 2-h, 3-f, 4-a, 5-c, 6-I, 7-e, 8-k, 9-g, 10-b, 11-d, 12-j,

II a) 1-3, 2-1000, 3-1, 4-8, 5-5, 6-10, 7-90, 8-6, 9-4, 10-100, 11-7, 12-9, 13-150, 14-2.

b) 1. Latin, 2. Greek, 3. Latin, 4. Latin, 5. Latin, 6. Greek, 7. Greek, 8. Latin, 9. Greek, 10. Latin, 11. Greek, 12. Latin, 13. Greek, 14. Greek.

III 1. jacet d, 2. nunquam f, 3. facie e, 4. honos # B 5. suo a, 6. bona c.