Latin is a language that originated in the region of Lazio, where the city of Rome—capital of the Roman Empire—was founded. Although Latin is now considered a dead language, with no native speakers, it remains the official language of the Vatican City and continues to be studied and used by scholars, teachers, enthusiasts, and the curious around the world.
Latin forms the cultural, legal, philosophical, and linguistic foundation of much of Western civilisation. Modern Romance languages like Italian, French, and Spanish all evolved directly from Latin. While English is a Germanic language in terms of grammar and structure, a large portion of its vocabulary, especially in academic, legal, scientific, and formal contexts, comes from Latin. So, although English isn’t a Latin language, its Latin influence is undeniable.
Even if you’ve never formally studied Latin, chances are you know more of it than you realise. Curious to test your knowledge? Try our quiz below!
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How Latin Has Shaped the English Language
Although English is a Germanic language at its core, Latin has had a profound influence on its vocabulary and development. This influence began with the Roman occupation of Britain and deepened significantly after the Norman Conquest in 1066, when Latin and French (a Romance language derived from Latin) became the dominant languages of law, religion, and education.
of English words have Latin origins
Today, an estimated 60% of English words have Latin or Romance origins, especially in academic, legal, scientific, and formal contexts. Words like information, justice, animal, manual, and audible all trace back to Latin roots. Even prefixes and suffixes—such as sub-, pre-, -tion, and -able—are Latin in origin.
Latin also plays a key role in English idioms, mottos, and terminology used in law (habeas corpus), science (species, genus), and religion (Deus ex machina, Agnus Dei). While everyday English still relies heavily on its Germanic base, Latin lends the language richness, precision, and a sense of tradition, making it an enduring influence even in modern usage.
The ancient Romans did not need to use punctuation and wrote without spaces between words.
LVGETEOVENERESCVPIDINESQVE = Lament, O Venus
Why Should You Study Latin?
While Latin may no longer be spoken in everyday conversation, studying it offers a wealth of benefits. Firstly, it enhances your understanding of English. Learning Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes helps improve vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension—especially in subjects like literature, law, medicine, science, and theology.
Latin also sharpens logical thinking and grammar skills. Its precise structure requires close attention to detail, which strengthens analytical abilities and deepens understanding of how languages work. This is why Latin is often recommended for students preparing for careers in law, philosophy, or classical studies.
Additionally, Latin gives direct access to a vast library of classical texts, Roman history, and Western intellectual heritage. From Cicero to Virgil, reading Latin allows you to experience ancient literature in its original form—something that translations can’t fully capture.
And finally, Latin is simply enjoyable to learn. Many students describe it as a satisfying puzzle that trains the brain and offers insight into the roots of many modern languages.
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