Latin for the Illiterati: Exorcizing the Ghosts of a Dead Language

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415917751 ISBN 13: 9780415917759

Publisher: Routledge, 1996

Latin for the Illiterati is everyperson's reference to common Latin words and phrases. With over 6,000 entries--including 300 abbreviations--this volume will accompany every reader, student and scholar through their lifelong reading journey.

Review:

Born of Jon R. Stone's quest to deal productively with his own ignorance of Latin, Latin for the Illiterati is a superb Latin phrase dictionary that fills an important reference niche. Stone's compendium of nearly 6,000 Latin words, phrases, and abbreviations takes the onus off reading erudite texts, reduces one's fear of appearing stupid, and reintroduces the joy of thousands of well-turned phrases. Organized alphabetically within the categories of verbi (common words and expressions), dicti (common phrases and familiar sayings), and abbreviations, the dictionary offers instant Latin phrase translation gratification. Also, the English-Latin index increases the usefulness and versatility tremendously, since it enables you to find the Latin you want for your own pithy purposes, allowing you to insert impressive bon mots willy nilly. When you want to make a statement of strength, writing "invictus maneo" has it all over "I remain unconquered." And if your audience doesn't understand, well let them get Stone's guide to Latin and join the literate world. --Stephanie Gold

About the Author:

Jon R. Stone is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Religion and Lecturer in the English Writing Program at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is the author of A Guide to the End of the World: Popular Eschatology in America (1993).