Latin in Barbados

10/13/2016

The assumption seems to rules in the US that Latin and Greek are not for people whose skins are not pale white. So it is worth looking at the situation in Barbados, to which Michael Fontaine has recently called my attention. One Latin lover from the island, Reudon Eversley, looks back on the role of Latin in his education and the consequences of removing it from the curriculum:

“The removal of Latin from the Barbadian school curriculum was an unwise and shortsighted policy decision which has deprived many Barbadians of a rich intellectual experience that would have positively impacted on their overall development. We are seeing the fall-out today in the appalling poverty which afflicts both the written and spoken word. “

Here’s the link to the full essay in Barbados Today:

http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2016/10/01/long-live-latin/

1 Comment

Michael Fontaine

10/14/2016 08:08:13 am

Thanks, Bob, for posting this. I'm rereading it again today as I leaf through the just-published Latin textbook of Reginald Foster (40 years in the making!). As I read through the front matter, I can hear his voice coming to life, repeating points about Latin that I've always taken as axiomatic. Here's one gem (p. xxx): "The business of learning Latin is a long one that demands not superior intelligence, but a certain kind of character, of seriousness and mature thoroughness that some people do not have."

Characteristically, there's a sting in the tail, but he's making a very important point. Latin isn't elite because wealthy people study it. (How could that change Latin?) If it's "elite," it's because learning Latin well sharpens people's minds, thoughts, and makes them into careful thinkers. Reggie says something similar on the page before in speaking about the Latin language throughout history:

"In history, some very wise people immediately saw the value of this tool of human communication, of this mental monument. They were willing to spend time and energy on mastering it. Our library shows us that very many people did master Latin, and that it is quite possible for normal humans to do the same. Those who are studying Latin, and will continue to do so, belong to a very special category, if you wish, of people who share these convictions and have had this experience. Most of them, of course, will vehemently witness to the fact that Latin has changed their lives and has some mystical or magic element which has fascinated and sustained, which has educated and guided people in history for age."

To judge from his column, Reudon Eversley is clearly one of these people.

Latin in Barbados

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