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`Revival of interest' in learning Latin

`Latin is a dead language and we are trying to bring it alive in classrooms'

Jaceenth Michael

Jaceenth Michael, the only Government-approved higher secondary school teacher for Latin in the State, tells Sangeeth Kurian about his efforts to rekindle interest in learning Latin.

Meet Jaceenth Michael, the only Government-approved higher secondary school teacher for Latin in the State. An ex-seminarian who teaches Latin at St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School in the city, Mr. Michael says that of late, there has been a "a revival of interest" among students in learning this classical language.

On the occasion of Teacher's Day, he highlights the benefit of learning Latin while pursuing higher studies.

"Nearly 86 per cent of the words used in English have their origin in Latin. A basic knowledge in Latin helps a candidate to follow academic studies more effectively, irrespective of whether they opt for engineering, medicine or law," says Mr. Michael.

According to him, most people unintentionally use a number of words that have their origin in Latin. "Most of the passages in English will have at least a minimum of 10 words originating in Latin." Some of the frequently used words are plus, minus, subtraction, division, auditorium, etc., a.m., p.m., B.A., B.Sc., M.Sc. and M.Phil.

"Latin is a mathematical language. Students who are interested in the subject can score 100 per cent marks," said Mr. Michael, who had to wage a relentless battle for nearly three years to gain approval for his appointment as teacher by the General Education Department.

He was appointed in 2002, but the recruitment was not approved by the Director of Higher Secondary Education on grounds that he did not have a postgraduate degree in Latin and that the candidate did not clear the State Eligibility Test, required as per rules for the post of higher secondary school teacher.

However, the rule was subsequently amended since it was found that no university in the country offered a postgraduate course in Latin. He was also granted exemption from passing SET in Latin, considering it a solitary case.

In 1999 when Latin was introduced as a second language for the higher secondary course at the St. Joseph's school, only 14 students opted for the subject. Today, the school has 83 students studying the subject in two batches, says Mr. Michael. However, since Latin is classified as a rare language, the methodology used for teaching Latin has its limitations owing to lack of exposure.

"Like Sanskirt and Syriac, Latin is a dead language and we are trying to bring it alive in classrooms," says Mr. Michael.

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