Hi from new member

[Maximilianus]

Hi everyone here. I've just joined this forum, to meet people from everywhere and to clarify doubts regarding Latin, too.
For now, just wanted to say hello!!

[Maximilianus]

Canadian lady as spoken wisely. I agree.

[Lepus]

Educational quailty is a consideration, however, during my time in university one of my professors brought up an interesting point: A persons ability in language portrays their seeming education. A person can have an amazing education, but if they cannot express themselves in their chosed language they may seem little more than an idiot. Such is true cross cultures as well. I may have a certain intellectual level in English, however, in Latin my educaton level in general is rather low, as I have not the words to express my thoughts.

[Maximilianus]

How to tell for sure what their problem is? I think it has to do with educational quality. Though only a thought.

[Mattheus]

A little humility always does some good. Besides, where do these chaps get these crazy ideas? Are they too obtuse to notice the difference between these words?

[Maximilianus]

That's exactly what I wonder. I figure there are strange people with strange ideas everywhere. I once met this chap who thought of himself as an anglophone, but he couldn't tell a "thought" from a "though" (seems the final "t" was quite a challenge for him) and there was this person who took "temper" for "time" (maybe he was a Latinist thinking about "tempus", provided you can find some logic in confusing "temper" with "tempus"). If these fellows acquired more contact with linguistics and less contact with overconfidence, they could probably realize that real knowledge doesn't bite even being a little harder to get.

[Mattheus]

How can you believe you have mastered something if you don't learn something new of it every day? You said it, Maximilianus!

[Maximilianus]

I totally agree, and this is equally true for every language and for everyone trying to master it, even being native speakers. There are those who believe they master their mother tongue just because it's the language they've mostly spoken from the very beginning. They should be informed that they are wrong. They have little contact with literature, if they ever had any. Thus they think they know enough, but enough is not enough, is it?

[Mattheus]

I call myself beginner for I still heavy on the grammar and syntax. A true Latinist can read, speak, and quote poetry fluently. Something that takes years of practice.

[Maximilianus]

An advanced beginner who resembles an expert!! That leads me to my next humble conclusion: expertise has different stages. I don't have anyone here in my homeplace to talk about Latin. Gladly the Internet lets me talk to advanced beginners, as these humble fellows regard themselves (hehe!!, kidding with due respect for my good friend).

[Mattheus]

And I think it's cool we have three people now discussing from the Americas! One from Argentina, Canada, and USA! Thanks to the internet. Lepus, if you know anyone interested, or who might be interested in Latin, tell them about this forum. The more the merrier!