Has anyone ever taken Latin?

LydiaNN · Oct 5, 2005

It is interesting, but it is also a very difficult course. I took Spanish my first two years of high school, but couldn't stand the teacher and thought I'd give Latin a try. Unfortunately, that teacher treated it as more of a mythology course, so I had no idea how complicated a language to learn it actually is. Many of my college classmates had taken more than a year of Latin in high school, and I was in way over my head. I was lucky to pass the course. Not to discourage you, just to give you a heads up- it will come in handy in understanding terminology later, but be prepared to work hard.

Stephanie in FL · Oct 5, 2005

I took Latin my senior year of high school (after 3 years of Spanish). My teacher was good, but I don't feel it helped me with medical terminology in nursing school. I wish I had maintained my knowledge of Spanish as there are many Hispanic people in Orlando (and, in home care, sometimes no one to translate for me).

Stephanie RN in Orlando

GingerSue · Oct 5, 2005

Latin is easy, no problem just do your homework and think about the material

I remember taking it in high school - high marks

and interesting

and it helps with medical terminology, with various other languages

Morning-glory · Oct 5, 2005

Basic latin is do-able. It's when they get going in the latin lit that it becomes a challenge. It does help with the terminology. I took 5 years of the stuff. The key is to keep up with the homework.

Good luck,

Jacquie

gobblers · Oct 5, 2005

I took 2 years of Latin in high shool in the early sixties. It does help you in cluing in on the root of medical terminology. It will certainly stimulate your mind.

Sis123 · Oct 5, 2005

I spent 3 years with my dear biology teachers in high school. Each and every time we were given a new word (and there were alot) they would explain the greek or latin root of the word and we learned that too. They sprouted and grew my love of biology and science, bless their hearts!

Those roots are also located in good medical dictionaries, and if you write them down each time you encounter new ones you can learn them and pretty soon you'll see the same ones (that you have written down) popping up, too.

You could also buy a medical terminology textbook, and most of the latin roots are covered there as well.

You don't need the grammer rules etc. of a latin class. Just learn the roots on your own! You can do it!

Cute_CNA, CNA · Oct 5, 2005

I wouldn't bother trying to learn Latin as a language, but rather just medical terminology. I'm sure you'll never use it in conversation. If you take the class, they might just focus on conversational Latin, and you probably won't learn medical terms. So I would just grab a book that specifically deals with medical terms. A Latin medical terminology translation, I guess. Check Amazon.com.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2005

Took Latin 4 yrs. in High School in the 60's. It was OK. Good Grades.

I didn't find it particularly helpful in my studies.

Now, in my work area, I find it would have been really great if I had taken some Spanish!!I have MANY Spanish pt's.

Mary Ann

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Oct 5, 2005

I had a some Latin in high school, and even though I didn't get as much out of it as I hoped, I can still see it being helpful in A&P. EX. Morifice is the surface anatomy term for hand, but it's also the Latin word for hand!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 5, 2005

Sounds like a great thing for you. My only suggestion is that if you speak and understand spanish then there is no need to take Latin for medical terminology.

God luck :)

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 5, 2005

I had a some Latin in high school, and even though I didn't get as much out of it as I hoped, I can still see it being helpful in A&P. EX. Morifice is the surface anatomy term for hand, but it's also the Latin word for hand!

True, but the same can be said for Spanish, Manos=hand(s)........but the only difference is that you can use it more especially when communicating with others than Latin. :)