An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin

by H. P. V. Nunn

Publisher:

Cambridge University Press

, 1922

Overview

An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin was written to meet the needs of students who desire to study the Latin language in the form it assumed in the hands of the Fathers of the Western Church and of their successors.

The book contains a summary of syntactic rules necessary for understanding the works of these writers, with an explanation of the points in which Ecclesiastical Latin differs from Classical Latin, and a selection of passages taken from the works of some of the principal authors of the period.

This Latin grammar by H. P. V. Nunn was published by Cambridge University Press in 1922 and is a very helpful tool for working with the Latin Vulgate. It is a descriptive grammar, rather than a textbook grammar.

Nunn is also the author of The Elements of New Testament Greek and A Short Syntax of New Testament Greek .

Contents

Top Highlights

“Ecclesiastical Latin may be defined as the form which the Latin language assumed in the hands of the Fathers of the Western Church and of their successors up to the time of the revival of learning.” (Page ix)

“The consequence of this is that ‘Classical Latin’ is, speaking generally, a very artificial form of language. It may be said of it, as has been said of Attic Greek (as portrayed in the literature of Athens), that it is an artistic language which nobody ever spoke, but which everybody understood.” (Page 1)

“The verb agrees with its subject in number and person.” (Page 8)

“The Vocative Case is used in addressing a person or a personified thing.” (Page 11)

“Latin nouns, pronouns and adjectives have inflections to show number and case; adjectives” (Page 10)

From the Preface to the Print Edition

This book is written to meet the needs of a special class of students, namely those that desire to study Ecclesiastical Latin.

Ecclesiastical Latin may be defined as the form which the Latin language assumed in the hands of the Fathers of the Western Church and of their successors up to the time of the revival of learning.

The book is divided into two parts: first, a summary of such syntactical rules as are necessary for the understanding of the works of these writers, with an explanation of the points in which Ecclesiastical Latin differs from the Classical Latin: secondly, a selection of passages taken from the works of some of the principal authors of the period with notes drawing the attention of the student to the appropriate sections of the syntax.

Product Details

• Title: An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin
• Author: Rev. H. P. V. Nunn, M.A.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1922
• Pages: 162