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So, just wanted to know what you peeps thought. My Latin teacher tries to convince us that "Latin is not a dead language" but I have to disagree. I do know that many words of the English language are direct Latin words or derivatives but still . . .

So what do you think?

When I have kids, I'm gonna force my first child's native tongue to be Latin. Just for the sake of me being able to say that Latin is technically alive cool

Well, technically, since no one speaks Latin as a first language ... except for Woglinde's future kids ... I suppose one could make a case for all the Romance languages being really Latin, but it would be a stretch.

But really, WQ, why do you want it to be a Dead Language? It's certainly not "dead" in the sense of being unused. If you study medicine or any of the biological sciences, you're going to need at least a nodding acquaintence with it. And estimates of the English words derived either directly from Latin or through French run between 15% and 30%, so you'll find that a good knowledge of Latin greatly improves your English skills.

Finally, you never know but that one day you'll find yourself in the position of being about to order something in a restaurant in Rome and realizing that the name of the dish looks suspiciously like the Latin word for "eels."

Latin is very much alive.

It's used every day in countless professions and ways of life. It's used by doctors, lawyers, scientists, religious people, and many others.

Common people also use Latin even without realizing it.

How many times a day do you say etc., i.e., M.O, ergo, etc.?

etc. comes from the Latin "et cetera".

i.e. stands for "id est".

M.O., modus operandi.

ergo, behold.

Ergo, Latin is very much alive. My own dialogue is peppered with Latin phrases and words, and I believe as long as there are people who learn, teach and use it, the language will never die.

Vivat Latine!

Onay. Eneverwhay omesay elvetway-earyay-olday earnslay eythay ancay useyay igpay atinlay otay ursecay, ethay anguagelay iveslay onay orfay anotheray ewfay eeksway.

I think Latin is alive, but it's like an invalid in that it's not in wide use outside of academia and professions that use it in their jargon whereas modern languages are used at home, work, the grocery store, etc.

I finally found the answer! Latin is the one and only Comatose language. It's neither dead nor alive!!!

Acctually,I don't think Latin is just dead...Ancient Greek and latin are the 2 languages that shape most euopean once...They are just evolving...^^