Have you ever seen a Latin quote and wondered how to pronounce it? There are many quotes or mottos taken from Latin in such fields as medicine and botany. Latin pronunciation tends to be easy when compared to irregular English. However, you still need dedication to learn it because no native speaker of this language can help you. The pronunciation guide in this article focuses on ecclesiastical Latin because experts consider ancient Roman writers like Virgil to be Latin speakers. In addition, this article includes the most common differences to help you distinguish between speaking and singing in Latin.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Learning Consonants
Step 1. Pronounce the letter V like W
The letter "v" is pronounced like the "w" in the word "color". Thus, the word via (way), is pronounced as "wi-a."
The original Latin text used the consonant "v" in place of the vowel "u" also because the letter "u" was absent in this language. Meanwhile, modern Latin print books will usually use the letter "u" for vowels and "v" only used as consonants
Step 2. Say the letter "i" or "j" like the letter "y" if they act as consonants
Latin does not actually have the letter "j", but some modern writers use it to avoid misunderstandings. So if there is a "j" read it like the "y" in the word "yang". If you read Latin with its original spelling, the letter "i" will usually be written with the consonant "y". Sometimes, it is also possible to replace the letter with a vowel.
For example, the Latin names Iulius or Julius would read something like ''Yulius''
Step 3. Don't change the pronunciation of Latin and its consonants
This language is not like English. Each letter is almost always read in a consistent way:
- C is always read clearly like the letter "k" in the word "ape". So the word cum (with) is read "kum".
- G is always pronounced as clearly as the letter “g” in the word “garage”. So, ago (I'm driving) is pronounced "ago".
- S is always pronounced softly like the letter “s” in the word “sri”. Therefore, the word spuma (foam) is pronounced "spuma".
- The letter "r" always vibrates. The pronunciation of the letter "r" in Latin is the same as in Indonesian.
Step 4. Ignore the letter “h”
The only thing challenging about Latin is the rule for reading the letter "h" which is usually not read. Don't be fooled by letter combinations like "th" or "ch" because these combinations usually don't mean anything in Latin. So just say the first consonant you see.
If you want to improve your pronunciation in this language, try to pronounce vowels that come after the letter "h" more lightly and softly. For example ''h-ai'' or ''h-us''
Step 5. Pronounce the other consonants as they are
In addition to the exceptions listed above, you may pronounce other consonants as you would normally pronounce them in Indonesian. Usually, the pronunciation will be the same as it is taught in school.
- Pronounce each letter sound clearly. For example, the letter "t" in classical Latin is always pronounced clearly and never softly.
- There are some little things that are not very important for a basic level learner. If you want to become a Latin expert, these rules are in an additional section later.
Part 2 of 4: Pronunciation of Vowels
Step 1. Look for printed books that have markings on long and short vowels
The easiest way to learn how to pronounce Latin vowels is to read a text written especially for learners of the language. Each Latin vowel has a long and a short vowel. Usually, beginner's textbooks have a "macron" (horizontal mark above the vowels) marking the long vowels. So, if you find the letter "a" in the book, it means that the letter is read short, while the letter "ā" is read long.
- If your main goal is to speak ecclesiastical Latin, now is the time to skip the sections below because the pronunciation of vowels is different.
- If you can't find text like this, enlist the help of a proficient Latin learner to help you identify the pronunciation of Latin vowels. Most students learn how to pronounce this classical language from practice and memorize how it is pronounced. However, you can also learn the complex rules of how to identify long and short vowels if you prefer this method.
Step 2. Pronounce short vowels
Books for beginners will not usually mark short vowels or mark them with a circumflex sign (˘). If the letters are short vowels, pronounce them as follows:
- pronounce A like "a" in chicken
- pronounce E like “e” in delicious
- pronounce I like the "i" in the word see
- pronounce O like "o" in people
- pronounce U like “u” in money
Step 3. Learn the long vowels
Indonesian does not recognize long and short vowels so distinguishing and learning to pronounce Latin vowels can be a little difficult for Indonesians. However, for study purposes, textbooks usually mark long vowels with a “macron” (horizontal line). Long vowels are usually pronounced as follows, but with a longer pronunciation:
- is like the letter “a” in the word father (pronounced longer)
- like the letter “e” in the word satay
- like the letter “i” in the word fish
- like the letter “o” in the word people
- like the letter “u” in the word bribe
Step 4. Identify the diphthongs
A diphthong is a combination of two vowels pronounced as one syllable. Latin pronunciation is more consistent than English so you don't have to guess at how vowels sound when pronounced. This combination is always pronounced as a diphthong:
- AE is like the diphthong ai in the word pie. So, the word saepe (often) is pronounced as "sai-pe"
- AU is like diphthong au in the word buffalo. So, the word laudat (he praises) is pronounced as "lau-dat"
- EI is like the diphthong ei in the word survey. So, the word eicio (I reach) is pronounced “ei-ki-o”
- OE is like the diphthong “oi” in the word amboi.
- Of all the possible vowel combinations, pronounce each vowel in a different syllable. So, the word tuus (yours) is pronounced like "tu-us"
- The combination of long and short vowels does not become a diphthong. For example, the word "poēta" (poet) is pronounced "po-e-ta".
Part 3 of 4: Learning Word Emphasis and Additional Rules
Step 1. If the word consists of two syllables, put stress on the first syllable
For example, the word Caesar is pronounced "KAI-sar". This rule applies to all words with two syllables.
Step 2. Identify strong and soft syllables
Latin poets depended on this classification to establish the rhythm of their poetry. Most Latin learners will learn to read poetry as well. Studying these early in the study period will help to perfect your pronunciation as well:
- Say the syllables out loud if the syllables have long vowels or are diphthongs.
- Say a syllable out loud too if it is followed by a double consonant. The consonant letter "x" is included in the list of consonants that are read like "ks".
- If the syllable doesn't have the same rules as above, then pronounce the syllable softly.
- Some teachers will call them “long” and “short” syllables. However, don't mix up syllables like this with long and short vowels.
Step 3. Emphasize the second or last syllable if the syllable is pronounced strongly
The syllable that is second from the back is called the pre-end syllable. If the syllable is pronounced strongly, emphasize it here.
- The word Abutor (I wander) is pronounced like “a-BU-tor” because the pre-final syllable is a long vowel.
- The word Occaeco (I made blind) is pronounced “ok-KAI-ko” because the pre-final syllable is a diphthong (ae).
- The word Recusandus (which must be rejected) is pronounced “re-ku-SAN-dus” because the pre-final syllable is a double consonant (nd).
Step 4. Emphasize the syllable before the pre-ending if the pre-final syllable is spoken lightly
If the pre-final syllable is a light syllable (that is, the vowel is short and not followed by a double consonant), then the syllable is unstressed. However, put emphasis on the third-to-last syllable called “antepenult”.
The word Praesidium (guardian) is pronounced "prai-SI-di-um". The pre-suffix is light so the emphasis is on the third from the last syllable
Step 5. Learn advanced pronunciation rules
There are special cases that many Latin learners rarely study. If you're planning to travel back in time to ancient Rome, you can impress the emperor with the perfect accent like this:
- Double consonants are pronounced twice. For example the word reddit (he gives back) is pronounced like "red-dit," not "re-dit".
- the consonants "bt" and "bs" are pronounced like "pt" and "ps."
- The consonant combination "gn" is pronounced like "ngn" in the phrase "the dancing."
- Some linguists think that the "m" at the end of words is like a nasal vowel, as in modern French. In addition, the combination of the consonants "ns" and "nf" is also nasal.
- Combinations of the letters "br", "pl", and similar double consonants that sound "joined" with the letters "l" and "r" are not considered double consonants that require syllable stress.
Part 4 of 4: Speaking Ecclesiastical Latin
Step 1. Pronounce the consonants before “ae”, “e”, “oe”, and “i” smoothly
Ecclesiastical Latin, also known as Liturgical Latin, has been used in church songs, rituals, and information for centuries. The pronunciation has changed to match the pronunciation of modern Italian which is also an evolved type of Latin. One of the striking differences between Ecclesiastical Latin and classical Latin is the pronunciation of the following sounds:
- If there is a “c” before “ae”, “e”, “oe”, and “i”, pronounce the letter like the c in the word “only” (not like the “k” in “ape”).
- On some occasions, the letter "g" can be pronounced like the letter "j" in the word "hour".
- The consonant "sc" will sound like the "sy" in the word "syiar".
- The consonant “cc” is pronounced like “tch” in the English word “catchy”.
- The consonant "xc" becomes "ksh", not "ksk".
Step 2. Learn the sounds of the vowels
Ecclesiastical Latin vowels usually have fewer differences between their long and short vowel forms when compared to classical Latin. The exact way of pronouncing it can vary depending on the congregation of the church. So, in the end you can either follow someone's example or follow your own instincts. Church singers usually sing the same note or sound longer or shorter than changing the pronunciation of vowels. If you are not sure, use the following system:
- Say "A" as in "dad"
- Say "E" as in the word "delicious"
- Say "I" or Y like "I" in "see"
- Say "O" as in "person"
- Say "U" as in "money"
Step 3. Say the letter "v" like "v"
Ecclesiastical Latin differs from classical Latin in the pronunciation of the letter "v". In ecclesiastical Latin, the letter "v" will still be pronounced like the letter "v".
Step 4. Learn how to pronounce “gn” and “ti”
In ecclesiastical Latin, these sounds sound similar to modern Romance pronunciation. For example:
- The combination of letters "gn" is always pronounced like "ny" in the word "many"
- The combination of the letter “ti” followed by any vowel is pronounced like the sound “tsy” in the English word “patsy”.
- The exception: “ti” will still be pronounced like “ti” if it is at the beginning of a word or if it is followed by an “s”, “x” or “t”.
Step 5. Learn how to pronounce the words “nil” and “mihi”
The "h" in these two words is pronounced like the "k". So, the two words are pronounced like “nikil” and “miki”. However, the letter "h" in the word is not read.
Step 6. Separate the double vowels
Ecclesiastical Latin still uses the combination of the letters "ae" and "oe" as in classical Latin. Meanwhile, for diphthongs “au”, “ei”, “au”, and “eu” will make the two vowels sound different. If the diphthong is stressed in the song, hold the note on the first vowel and then briefly say the second vowel at the end of the word.
The combination of letters "ei" is pronounced as a diphthong (one sound). So that the pronunciation is similar to the "ei" in the word "hey"
Tips
- The pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of Latin have changed drastically since it was first used (roughly from 900 BC to 1600 AD). In addition, there are also very different regional variations. The "classical" pronunciation taught in this article is taken from the way this language is taught in nonreligious schools in America based on the interpretations of Italian Latin scholars from the 1st century BC to AD 3rd. There are also other countries that teach different pronunciations.
- Remember, Latin used to be naturally spoken by the Romans. Don't say the words stiffly so you don't sound like a robot. Practice your pronunciation until it's fluent.
