Latin: The dead language
Latin.…the dead language like ancient Egyptian, Sumerian and Ubykh. Aside from the scientific, linguistic and legal community, poets, the curious, the Roman Catholic Church (for mass in Latin and theological papers) and the altar boys (who take a basic lesson in Latin by the parish priest), there aren’t many who can speak Latin anymore. Why do some still hold on to the dead language then? One word: Tradition.
Why is Greek and Latin used for scientific terms?
Greek and Latin were traditionally the languages of learning, and Latin in particular was the universal Western language, allowing scholars and other educated people from different countries to converse, until first French and then English took its place. Latin and Greek remained privileged languages until quite recently; it has been only in the last 50 years or so that they have ceased to be required subjects in colleges and universities. Since taxonomic nomenclature, in particular, has been in Latin since Linnaeus, this has created problems for those who have to name new species, such as newly-discovered dinosaurs! Usually they have to go to a Classical scholar for help these days…
Why is Latin used in the Mass?
The Mass is said in some eight languages or dialects by Catholics of the Eastern Rites. Latin was not introduced into the Mass in Rome itself until the late second century. The Holy See will never force the surrender of the ancient Eastern liturgies. But the great body of Catholics use Latin.
The Mass must not be judged like private prayers, though there is a time for private prayer during mass, which a person must understand in order to express his thoughts or feelings to God. In a sense it is less the prayer of the people than that of the priest. The retention of Latin is a magnificent affirmation that our beliefs are those of antiquity; we pray as our fathers prayed because we believe as they believed. The fixity of language helps impress this fact. It is wrong, moreover, to suppose that Latin is gibberish to the people. Every Catholic knows and loves the words before the distribution of Communion: “Domine, non sum dignus,”.and the other key words, pronounced in an audible voice, the “Dominus vobiscum, orate Fratres, ecce, Agnus Dei”,” In nomine Patris, et Filii,et Spiritus Sancti.”,” Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.”,” Dominus vobiscum”.
“Me Deus! Denuone Latine loquebar? Me ineptum. Interdum modo elabitur” – My God! Was I speaking Latin again? Silly me. Sometimes it just sort of slips out.
English in my opinion is inferior to Latin as a language of liturgical worship. But then that may just be me watching too many roman movies (Gladiator, Ben Hur, Sparticus),as the traditional tongue of Christ is Aramic, which by the way is still spoken in a Maronite village in Cyprus, and therefore should the Mass be carried out in this?
“Dominus vobiscum!”
For the curios
Mass in Latin
Bible in Aramic
Latin Words - No not the one taught by our Parish Priest 
