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Grammar is the art by which we learn to speak and to write well. It is not merely a collection of rules, but a disciplined habit of using language rightly, clearly, and accurately. Through grammar, the student learns how sounds, words, and sentences are formed and ordered so that thought may be expressed faithfully and understood by others. For this reason, grammar stands at the foundation of all learning that depends upon language, whether spoken or written.
The word grammar itself comes from the Greek word gramma, which means “a letter.” This origin reminds us that grammar begins with the smallest elements of written language. Before we can understand words, sentences, or discourse, we must first know the letters from which they are composed. Grammar therefore begins with letters and proceeds step by step to more complex forms of speech.
In the Latin language, twenty-three letters are used. These letters are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, X, Y, and Z. Unlike English, Latin does not use the full modern alphabet, and each of its letters has a specific role in forming sounds and words. Mastery of these letters is essential for correct pronunciation, reading, and writing. The names of the Latin letters can be read as follows: These letters are A, Be, Ce, De, E, eF, Ge, Ha, I, Ka, eL, eM, eN, O, Pe, Qu, eR, eS, Te, U, iX, Ypsilon, and Zeta
These 23 letters are divided into two main classes: vowels and consonants. This division is based on how the letters function when they are pronounced. Some letters are able to produce a full sound by themselves, while others require the support of a vowel in order to be heard clearly.
In Latin there are five vowels: A, E, I, O, and U. These letters are called vowels because each of them can produce a complete and distinct voice when pronounced alone. The letter Y is not originally Latin, but Greek, and it appears only in Latin words that have been borrowed from Greek. Although it is treated as a vowel, its presence reminds the student of Latin’s close historical relationship with Greek.
The remaining letters are called consonants. There are sixteen consonants in Latin. These letters cannot produce a complete sound by themselves but must be sounded together with a vowel. The letter H appears to be a consonant, but in truth it is not a full sound; it is only a mark of aspiration, indicating a breath rather than a distinct spoken voice.
Because consonants must be sounded together with vowels, they are called consonants, a word that means “sounding together.” A consonant joins with a vowel to form a pronounceable unit, and in this cooperation between vowel and consonant we begin to hear syllables and words.
Sometimes two vowels are joined together in a single syllable. Such a combination is called a diphthong. A diphthong is not merely two vowels placed side by side, but two vowels blended so closely that they form one syllable while still retaining the sound of each vowel.
When a diphthong is pronounced, it must be given a double sound, so that both vowels may be heard distinctly, even though they belong to the same syllable. The student must be careful not to reduce a diphthong to a single sound, but to allow each vowel to contribute to the whole. In Latin there are six diphthongs: AE, AU, EI, EU, OE, and UI. These may be seen in words such as nostrae, laus, Dei, euge, coeli, and tui. The diphthongs can be named by naming both of the vowels in the diphthong, as “A-E”, “A-U”, “E-I”, “O-E” and “U-I”.
From letters and sounds we pass to syllables. A syllable is made up of one or more letters pronounced together as a single sound unit. Every word must contain at least one syllable, and longer words are formed by joining multiple syllables in an orderly way.
A word is made of one or more syllables. Some words consist of only a single syllable, such as mors, meaning “death.” Other words are made of several syllables, such as Dominum, meaning “the Lord,” which is divided into distinct parts that are spoken together as one word. Words are the basic units of meaning in language.
Speech itself is made up of one or more words arranged to express a complete thought or feeling. A single word may sometimes form speech, as in euge, meaning “well done.” More often, speech consists of several words joined together, as in Dominum laudate, meaning “praise the Lord.” Through speech, the thoughts of the mind are made audible and intelligible to others.
Finally, grammar teaches that there are eight parts of speech. These are the noun, pronoun, verb, participle, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. Each part of speech has its own function in language, contributing in a distinct way to meaning and structure. The first four parts of speech—noun, pronoun, verb, and participle—are declined, meaning that their forms change to express different grammatical relationships. The remaining four—adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection—are undeclined, meaning that their forms remain fixed. Understanding these parts of speech prepares the student to analyze, interpret, and compose Latin with accuracy and confidence.
Memory Work
1. What is Grammar?
Grammar is the art of speaking and writing well.
2. Where does Grammar get its name?
Grammar gets its name from the Greek word gramma, which signifies “a letter”.
3. How many letters are used in Latin?
In Latin, twenty-three letters are used: A, B, C, D, E, F, G; H, I, K, L, M, N, O, P; Q, R, S, T, U, X, Y, Z.
4. How are the letters divided?
The letters are divided into vowels and consonants.
5. How many vowels are there in Latin?
In Latin, there are five vowels: A, E, I, O and U. Y is a Greek vowel and is found only in words coming from Greek.
6. Why are these called vowels?
These are called vowels because they make a perfect voice when pronounced alone.
7. How many consonants are there?
There are sixteen consonants. H seems to be a consonant, but is only a note of aspiration.
8. Why are they called consonants?
They are called consonants because when joined with vowels, they make a sound with them.
9. What is a diphthong?
A diphthong is a conjunction of two vowels in the same syllable.
10. How is a diphthong to be pronounced?
A diphthong is to be pronounced with a double sound, so that each vowel of which it is compounded may be heard.
11. How many diphthongs are there?
Six: AE, AU, EI, EU,OE, UI; as in Nostrae, Laus, Dei, Euge, Coeli, Tui.
12. Of what is a syllable made?
A syllable is made of one or more letters.
13. Of what is a word made?
A Word is made of one or more syllables, as Mors (death)and Do-mi-num (the Lord).
14. Of what is speech made?
Speech is made of one or more words, as Euge! (Well done!) and Dominum laudate. (Praise the Lord)
15. How many parts of speech are there?
There are eight parts of speech: Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Participle; Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, Interjection. The first four are declined, the last four are undeclined.
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