Professional Portfolio

The Wix site is used for the professional portfolio (a.k.a. Resume) in an electronic format.  I have just started on the course of my major in Mass Media.  With just two classes into my major, I do not have a large body of work to upload. 

Here is the link to my building portfolio http://mmxiiimediastudiosum.wix.com/mmxiiimedia# .

Latin used in higher education

I just posted a blog about Latin mottos used by universities and colleges all over the world, so I will not duplicate my effort by repeating those phrases.  I want to go into some of the Latin terminology used institutions of higher education.  You will have heard most of these terms before, and if you have not, by attending universities and graduating from colleges, many of you will earn some of these titles and terms. 

All of the following terms can and will be found on most university campuses,  but I located every one of these words on the Washburn University web site and in its literature. 

curriculm                     curricula                      alumni                         alumnus

alma mater                   baccalaureate               continuum                   continua         

cum laude                    honorarium                  magna cum laude        summas cum laude

criterion                       criteria                         dormitory                    emerius           

emerita                        emeriti                         fraternities                   natatorium      

sororities                      stadium                                                          

More University Mottos

Universities in most countries use Latin mottos to represent their thoughts, their character, inspirations, hopes, fortitude, belief and purposes.  According to Dictionary.com a motto is a noun and means, a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc. The secondary meaning says, a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.

Universities and colleges are institutions of higher education, and are likely to choose mottos to inspire their students to excel, and to achieve academic excellence.  You will probably be familiar with a number of the mottos used by well-known institutions.  I made sure to post the most famous of these universities and colleges, as well as the others that may not be known. 

I used several sources to locate the mottos, and their meanings as they posted them on their web sites.  I used Latin-Phrases.co.uk, and Classics Technology Center to locate the mottos and found many other useful, and interesting Latin phrases on those sites.

Tulane University                    Non sibi, sed suis.                   Not for herself, but for her own.

University of Puget Sound     Christus fundamentum           Christ is the foundation/beginning

Yale University                       Lux et veritas.                         Light and truth.

University of Michigan           Artes, scientia, veritas             The arts, knowledge, truth.

University of Tampa               Esse quam videri.                    To be rather than to seem.

Brown University                   In Deo speramus.                    In God we trust.

Harvard University                 Veritas.                                    Truth.

University of Washington       Lux sit.                                    Let there be light.

University of Scranton            Religio mores cultura.             Religion, morals, culture

University of Missouri            Salus populi.                            The welfare of the people.

Trinity University                    Pro ecclesia et praestare.         For church and country.

Fordham University                Sapientia et doctrina.              Wisdom and knowledge.

New York University             Perstare et praestare                To preserve and to surpass.

Dartmouth College                 Scientia sol mentis                  Knowledge, the sun of the mind.

Amherst College                     Terras irradient                        Let them illumine the earth.

Notre Dame University           Crux spes unica                       The cross is the only hope.

University of Portland            Veritas vos liberabit.               The truth will set you free.

Princeton University               Dei sub numine viget.             It flourishes under the will of God.

University of Vermont            Studiis et rebus honestis.        Through studies and upright affairs.

University of Guam                Excelsior.                                Higher.

University of Maine                Dirigo.                                     I lead.

University of Dayton              Pro Deo et patria.                    For God and country.

 motto. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/motto 

Washburn University - Pūrificatus Nōn Cōnsūmtus

The second Washburn University Latin Motto is Purificatus Nōn Cōnsūmtus which means Purified But Not Consumed. Here is an image of the Washburn University Crest.

This image can be found in the North Entrance of Morgan Hall.  This image and many other can be found on Google Maps (a few blogs back) when you look up Washburn University.  I used these pictures for my slideshow blog and decided to upload them to Google Maps.  Take a look at them and comment on the blog.  Thanks.

 

Photo by: Donald De Luney

 

Washburn University - Nōn Nōbīs Sōlum

Since Washburn has its own Latin Motto (actually it has two), so I thought I would simply have Washburn University Latin Mottos on a separate page from other universities to allow for the pictures I took of the mottos.

The one of Washburn University mottos is Nōn Nōbīs Sōlum which means Not for Ourselves Alone.  Here is an image of the Washburn University Crest. This image and the other crest with the second Washburn University Latin Motto in it can be found in the North Entrance of Morgan Hall. 

 

Photo by: Donald De Luney

Looking at Latin Grammar

An overview of Latin grammar seemed to be a suitable follow-up to a basic review of English grammar.  Latin grammar consists of Nouns, pronouns, verbs, propositions, numerals, adjectives, adverbs, the case system and word order. 

Each of the different parts of grammar has the same sub-categories as English grammar, as well as some additional considerations to take into account.  Case, number and gender become very important for a correct understanding of Latin.  Let’s start here with the case system.

Latin has six cases which define the function of each word. Each case has its own word endings for nouns, pronouns and adjectives and has declensions.  The cases and functions are:

Nominative:    subject

Accusative:     direct object

Genitive:         possession/origin/quality

Dative:            indirect object

Ablative:         prepositional objects

The gender of a noun, pronoun or adjective can be masculine (m.), feminine (f.), or neuter (n.).  The gender will also change the word endings and must agree with other words in the sentence to form the sentence correctly. 

The number is addressing if the word is singular or plural and this will also affect the word endings.

Pronouns have specific types, such as personal, relative, demonstrative, interrogative, possessive and reflexive.  Pronouns are masculine, feminine and neuter and the reflexive pronouns have person, 1^st person, 2^nd person and 3^rd person perspectives.  

Adjectives and adverbs have three declensions, 1^st/2^nd and 3^rd.

Verbs have seven modes, four conjugations, two moods, six tenses and two voices.

Modes:            Indicative, subjunctive, imperative, supine, gerund, participle and infinitive.

Conjugations: 1^st conj – āre, 2^nd conj – ēre, 3^rd conj – ere, and 4^th conj – Īre.

Moods:            Imperative, indicative, and subjunctive.

Tenses:            Present, imperfect, future, perfect, pluperfect and future perfect.

Voices:            Active and passive.

Latin uses Macrons on vowels to indicate the long sound for the vowel. Often the use of macron will indicate a different meaning to the words.  Macrons are line over vowels.

Latin does not use articles.  The articles are implied by the case of the word and construction of expressions to explain specific things like manner, circumstance and time.

Prepositions are used and followed by an Accusative or an Ablative.  They are used less frequently than English grammar.

Note: I referenced my course materials in Lingua Latina and English Grammar for Student of Latin by Norma W. Goldman to ensure the grammar concepts I used were correct.

 

Review your English grammar

Learning Latin is going to be challenging, but in a good way.  It will stretch your language abilities and when you have won the challenge of the week, you might notice a satisfying sense of accomplishment.

One of the obstacles I encountered last semester that my grammar was rusty.  I am not talking about Latin grammar now, but English grammar.  Why would rusty English grammar present a problem in Latin?  The Latin grammar concepts are explained in English grammar terminology. 

If you refresh your English grammar, before you start your Latin course, you will understand the concepts being presented and therefore perform better in the class.  I struggled with this and I have continued to review grammar to keep it fresh. 

I am going to conduct a very basic review of English grammar and you will want to spend some time reviewing authoritative sources for a complete review.

English grammar is made up of with parts of speech. Those parts are Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Conjunctions, and Prepositions. 

In each part of speech, there are sub-categories that define a specific type of speech.

Nouns has proper nouns, infinitive, abstract, common, concrete and collective nouns. 

Pronouns have personal, relative, reflexive, possessive, interrogative and indefinite pronouns.

Verbs have auxiliary, compound regular, irregular, infinitive and transitive verbs. Verbs also have person, voice, mood, number and tense.

Adverbs have two types and they are conjunctive and degree.

Adjectives also have degree describing a comparison. (An example of the comparison is good, better, best).  The other types are possessive, indefinite, interrogative and demonstrative.

Conjunctions, prepositions and articles are not as complicated as nouns, pronouns or verbs.

You will encounter all of these areas of grammar in Latin.  Latin will also present some concepts not used in the English language such a case system and a flexible word order.  You will see how the case system defines the function of each word and changes the ending on nouns, pronouns and adjectives to determine the function of the word and the word ending.  

Note: I referenced my course materials in Lingua Latina and The Little , Brown Handbook to ensure the grammar concepts I used were correct.   

Latin Cognates

I want to shift gears in my blog from talking about Latin, to teaching you some Latin basics. I am a student of Latin in the beginning stages of my studies, however thought I could take some of my observations (including my mistakes) and attempt to steer you around those potholes.

In the first year of Latin, there is a lot of vocabulary to learn, and when the vocabulary learning takes place in small increments, it is not overwhelming. One of the vocabulary concepts I am going to show you today are called Cognates. According to the Webster’s Concise Dictionary the word cognate means; Having the same nature or quality.

In Latin, cognates are words having a similar spelling in English and a similar meaning. When you receive your long list of new words to learn, first scan the list for words, specifically looking for the cognates. Cognates are words in Latin that you already know in English. After locating several cognates in your list of Latin words, the vocabulary list turns out to not be as difficult as you expected and thanks to the Latin cognates, you get a boost in your learning confidence.

Let’s look at some Latin cognates to illustrate what I have been talking about.

                        English                             Latin
                       Animal                             Animal
                       Industrious                       Industrius
                       Expect                              Exspectāre
                       Prudent                             Prūdēns
                       Grammar                          Grammatica
                       Absent                              Absēns
                       Mother                             Māter
                       Father                               Pāter
                       Infant                                Īnfāns
                       Future                               Futūrus
                       Debt                                  Debēre
                       Necessary                         Necessārius

Latin word of the day

I am always looking for ways to improve my language skills. I came across a website called Transparent Language and subscribed to the Latin Word of the Day. Transparent Language sends a daily e-mail to your inbox with a Latin Word of the Day. You can click on the speaker icon to hear how the featured word should be pronounced and it shows the word used in a Latin sentence to provide context. There is an English sentence under the Latin sentence to provide more understanding. In the Free Resources, there are language proficiency tests to challenge your language skills.

Learn more Latin »

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Transparent Language has over 100 languages available, which means that you can have a word of the day in the language of your choice sent to your e-mail daily.

Interview with Will Sharp

Here is the interview I had with Will Sharp that I spoke about a few blogs back. I want to introduce you to Mr. Sharp. Will Sharp is the Latin Adjunct at Washburn University in the Department of Modern Languages.
I anticipated the interview would be interesting, and the final results were all I anticipated. There was an excitement in his voice to answer and discuss the questions about Latin, and I think you will find this interview quite interesting.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

http://www.podbean.com/podcast-players?b=606825&p=4802117&f=http://mmxiiimedia.podbean.com/mf/play/szbkfp/InterviewwithWillSharp_4-2013.mp3

Tour of the Washburn Campus

Greetings,

As promised, I have loaded my photo tour of the Washburn Campus as a slideshow.  I started the tour in the main parking lot on the East side of the campus in front of the Lee Arena.  I started walking North toward the Stoffer Science Hall.  After a short walk past the Spitz Planetarium, I was in front of the Charles R. Bennett Computer Center. 

Directly next the computer center is Morgan Hall.  This is where you can register for admission, and speak to a class advisor.  The tour continued to the center of the campus where the Kuehne Bell Tower is located. 

I continued to walk in West past the Memorial Union, Mulvane Art Museum, the Learning Living Center, and Washburn University School of Law.  I turned South and then back North to the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and headed East. 

After a short walk through the interior buildings on campus, I head South past the Yeager Stadium and the Bianchino Pavilion.  Down to the Art Building, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Next on the East side of Yeager Stadium, you get a closer look at the football field, and back south from Carnagie Hall to the Softball Fields. 

Past the Washburn tennis courts and back into the main parking lot on the East side of the campus. 
I hope you enjoy the pictures of the campus and your walk around it.  I certain you will find it relaxing and a beautiful campus to stroll about. 

I took all the photos of Washburn University on my camera during a recent holiday (when there were no classes in session).

Becoming Interested in Latin?

So, after reading several blog posts about Latin, you start to get this idea that you find Latin interesting. You may be surprised by the odd thought of liking this “dead language”, but many students have studied word lists (usually containing many Latin words). Many students find they were able to increase their scores in the language part on their SAT. If raising your SAT score is a motivator for you to take a Latin course, then I say go for it! But where can I take a Latin course?

For people living in the Topeka area, then Washburn University the place for you. I will give you directions to the campus in this blog. Use this link to view the map of Washburn University.


View Larger Map

On my next blog, I will give you a virtual tour of the Washburn University Campus and direct you to Morgan Hall, where you can register for your Latin class next semester, and any other classes you may want to take.

Following the virtual tour, I will introduce you to the Latin Professor. Using a Podcast to air this interview, you will get to know what makes him tick and why he so enthusiastic about teaching Latin to his students.

Keep reading the blogs and feel free to ask questions or to leave comments. Perhaps, there is a Latin word or phrase you would like to see posted here. Leave your suggestions and I will consider each one.

Thanks, Vale

Harvard speech in Latin

This is a 2007 Harvard University Commencement speech delivered by undergraduate Charles Joseph McNamara. This speech has subtitles for those that do not speak Latin fluently (like me). The speech is about very modern topics I am certain most people have heard about. I was compelled to listen to the end by the powerful delivery of his speech and the novelty of hearing Latin spoken like English. Take a look at this YouTube.com video and comment on it.

Per se - By itself

Here is Latin phrase people use frequently.  Per se means by itself, or through it.  I have sited some examples of the phrase used in sentences.  I located this list of examples at http://dictionary.reference.com/ .  

Example sentences for per se

It isn't clear whether serotonin influences aggression per se or simply impulse control.

It wasn't a mistake per se, but merely an unfinished drawing by one dot.

Not the fuel cells per se, but the whole concept of a flexible plug in hybrid with electric drive.

As with trade deficits, economic theory doesn't view debt per se as being harmful.

But biological diversity per se-the number of species in an ecosystem-provides no shield against invasions.

Although it contains a map, it is not the usual guide, per se.

Several famous people have been quoted use “per se” and William Dunbar is one quote I found.  William Dunbar was a British poet (1465-c. 1530) and wrote this poem about London (1. 1-8).  The complete poem can be found in Oxford Book of English Verse, The, 1250–1918. Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. (New ed., rev. and enl., 1939) Oxford University Press.

“London, thou art of townes A per se.
Soveraign of cities, semeliest in sight,
Of high renoun, riches, and royaltie;
Of lordis, barons, and many goodly knyght;
Of most delectable lusty ladies bright;
Of famous prelatis in habitis clericall;
Of merchauntis full of substaunce and myght:
London, thou art the flour of Cities all”

Quotation by William Dunbar

London_thou_art_of_townes_A_per_se. (n.d.). Columbia World of Quotations. Retrieved February 23, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://quotes.dictionary.com/London_thou_art_of_townes_A_per_se