Latin is the base of the English language. Many of the words used in religion, grammar, and courts of law are in Latin. Read the information that follows to learn more about Latin’s influence on the English language:
- Latin has been the most important source for English vocabulary.
- As much as 17% of our active word stock is Latin.
- The first words loaned from Latin to English occurred during contact between the Romans and the Germanic tribes and through the adoption of Christianity and the translation of religious and literary texts from Latin into Old English.
- During the Renaissance, Latin was an active second language for many educated people.
- Even in modern times, Latin has remained one of the most common sources of English borrowing.
- English has traditionally borrowed Latin words and phrases from specific contexts such as law, religion, and science. As that exposure to Latin diminishes, so does the rate of borrowing.
Now that you know how Latin was introduced into the English language, it’s time for you to learn some words and phrases. Draw on any prior knowledge you may have from reading, movies, music, or just life in general, as you read each Latin word or phrase. Click the pronunciation links to hear each word and then try to say it. The picture is meant to be a visual representation of the word or phrase, but keep in mind that it’s just one possible representation. You are encouraged to find or draw your own picture to help you understand the meaning of each foreign word or phrase that you encounter in this lesson.
Source: Girls swapping lunch, iStockPhoto
quid pro quo
noun
Language: Latin (“what for what”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/,kwid-,prō-'kwō/
How it’s used: Something given or received for something else; trading goods and services. This phrase is a legal term, often used to describe something traded for something else.
Example: We agreed to a quid pro quo: I take care of their dog next weekend if they mow my lawn before they leave.
Source: "OK Used Cars,” original image by rjs 1322, Flickr
caveat emptor
noun
Language: Latin (“let the buyer beware”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'kavē,ät,/'emp,tôr/
How it’s used: Once something has been purchased, the seller is no longer responsible for the item. It makes good business sense to do research, read the fine print, and make an informed decision. This phrase is often used in real estate and real estate law.
Example: When I tried to return an MP3 player that didn’t work, the salesperson cited caveat emptor as a reason to examine products before purchasing them.
Source: “Carpe Diem,” Arnaldo Gutiérrez, Flickr
carpe diem
noun
Language: Latin (“seize the day”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/,kärp 'dē,em/
How it’s used: This phrase is often used to mean “live in the moment” or “seize the day.”
Example: After years of being afraid to bungee jump, Susan yelled “carpe diem!” and leapt toward the gorge.
Source: “Alma Mater” from images by Char Newcomb and OZinOH, Flickr
alma mater
noun
Language: Latin (“nourishing mother,” originally referred to one of several mother goddesses)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'älmə 'mätər/
How it’s used: Alma mater is used to refer any school, college, or university that someone has graduated from. Sometimes it refers to a school song.
Example: Laura Bush, Roger Clemens, and Matthew McConaughey all call The University of Texas at Austin their alma mater.
Source: “Don’t pull the plug on the Status Quo!” Steve Rhondes, Flickr
status quo
noun
Language: Latin (“the state in which,” originally from a longer diplomatic phrase, “the state in which things were before the war”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'stātəs 'kwō, 'statəs 'kwō/
How it’s used: It means “the way things have always been.” To maintain the status quo is to keep things as they are, to avoid change.
Example: It’s easier to maintain the status quo than to work to make a difference.
Source: Superhero, Mark H. Anbinder, Flickr
alter ego
noun
Language: Latin (“the other self”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/,ôl-tər- 'ē-(,)gō/
How it’s used: Alter ego suggests a second self, an alternate identity, or the opposite side of someone’s personality.
Example: Bruce Banner becomes the Incredible Hulk when he loses his temper, much in the same way that Dr. Jekyll assumes the alter ego of Mr. Hyde.
Source: Cartoon Mona Lisa by Mike R. Baker, Graffiti Mona Lisa by
nozoomii, emoticon Mona Lisa by Byron Manley, Flickr.
bona fide
noun
Language: Latin (from “bona fides” or “good faith”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/'bō-nə-, fīd/
How it’s used: It indicates sincerity, honest intention, or something that actually is true to its representation.
Example: A jeweler certified that the pearl necklace was bona fide before Jill sold it to Kenny.
Source: Chocolate per capita, USA Today
per capita
adverb or adjective
Language: Latin (“by head”)
Merriam-Webster Dictionary pronunciation:
/pər- 'ka-pə-tə/
How it’s used: This term is generally found in statistics in lieu of “per person.” Per capita suggests that something is equally applied to each individual.
Example: Each person in Switzerland consumes 22.7 lbs. of chocolate per year, giving Switzerland the highest per capita rate of chocolate consumption worldwide.
For the activity that follows, see if you can choose the correct Latin word or phrase for each blank in the paragraph. Take your time and refer back to the charts as many times as necessary. Choose your response from each pull-down menu.
How did you do? Did you give yourself “carte blanche” to have fun? You’ll learn about “carte blanche” in the next section, but remember that when you come across a word you don’t know, look it up in a dictionary. The more you read, the greater your fluency will be.