A Latin teacher at my school taught us one particular grammatical construction with the memorable phrase, “The boy who had been caned asked for a cushion.”
I was reminded of this whilst reading the quirky bestseller ‘Amo, Amas, Amat’ by Harry Mount, which explores the joys of the Latin language. Mount’s wry humour is quite marvellous – and, not surprisingly, the discussion of school Latin lessons throws up a huge number of startles. My favourite?
An active verb is exactly that – it means acting, doing something to somebody else. A passive verb means exactly that – i.e. doing nothing and having something and having something done to oneself. So if you are “being thwacked”, “are about to be flogged” or “have been bullied”, then you’re in the passive.
The book comes, as you might imagine, highly recommended.
Except, Abel, there is a whole category of verbs in Latin which express the active voice but can only be used in the passive grammatical form. Sort of like topping from the bottom. (Amber is turned on by grammar as much as by spanking or more).
*Shudder* Latin, the worst thing about school that I can remember!
Do they have websites for that kink Amber?
I must get my hands on a copy of ‘Amo, Amas, Amat’. From the review which I read it sounds like a good back to basics re-introduction. A couple of years ago I started teaching Jo a bit of Latin (declining nouns, parsing verbs etc. all encouraged with liberal use of one of my whippier canes)but sadly found myself a bit rusty and the lessons never advanced very far. We slipped back into the more comfortable English & History classes (Byron this evening). But there’s nothing quite like Latin for good old-fashion rote learning scenes….
Jamie: Since you seem to be the man on Byron, perhaps you could clarify his status for us – was he or was he not into spanking? If you can’t answer with some authority, then I think Jo has just earned herself a credit. (PS What is it with this teacher/student thing? Anyone would think you were kinky!)
Megs – why, my very blog… I am about to start a special category of posts, focusing on grammar as the means of erotic stimulation in the DD context.
Shows what type of school I went to; In our Latin lessons Amo, amas, amat was considered far too racy a verb for us to learn! I’m not even kidding!
Just wondering as a point of Latin grammar and syntax… I’ve vague memories that we were taught that the subject came before the verb, so if that’s right, shouldn’t the title of this entry be “Haron flagellata est”?
😉
Ok, I only did one semester of Latin, but I do believe that because of the grammatical cases in Latin it is clear what role the noun plays, so I do believe the word order is “free”. But I don’t remember – so please correct me if I’m wrong, should there be scholars of Latin amongst the readers.
Here’s your Latin scholar responding then:
1. The ‘category of Latin verbs which express the active voice but can only be used in the passive grammatical form'(Amber) are called ‘deponentia’.
2. Even though in school you might learn that Latin word order is free, this is absolutely not true. Linguists disagree whether in Indo-European (the ‘mother language’ of Greek, Latin, English and most other European languages) the word order was S(Subject) V(Verb) O(Object) or SOV, but in any case the subject should come firts, so I guess ‘Haron flagellata est’ would be correct.
Should I flagello Haron and see whether she looks like she’s flagelleta est or est flagellata?
I do really recommend this book. Apparently it’s the subject of a bidding war between publishers in the US right now.
PS We gave a copy as a Headmasterial gift the other day, and I’m hoping that it will provide inspiration to the recipient 😉
Oh, Charlie, I am not so sure… *wants to add something sassy but can’t think of anything*. Show me the grammar book, please :).
Never before has a discussion on latin amused me so much!
I love having my knowledge of something I know rather vaguely tested with a stroke for every wrong answer – what a suspense! I think it’s also fun to be punished for making mistakes in my writing when we work together.
Rob, my lessons on Byron are founded upon subjctive criticial analysis of his poetry rather than a historical or biographical approach. I think Jo misses her credit and questioning my authority in class is somewhat foolhardy:)
Jamie: Lucky I’m not in your class! I know a bit about that too and my remarks might be seen as ‘challenging’ your authority, which doesn’t sound like a good outcome. (PS Sounds like an old-fashioned classroom you’re running there. Nowadays they like the students to express their opinions!!!! LOL)
Opinions are always welcome but I couldn’t possibly give free reign to those sort of thoughts. I would be shirking my duty were I to do so…..I don’t know what it is but I seem to slip into it the role without even thinking…..is that the definition of a vocation?
(PS: hope I’ve worked out those smiley things now)
Hooray!
Not exactly a vocation Jamie. In other words, don’t give up your day job just yet! I think it does however define you as kinky, which therefore qualifies you as a bona fide participant of this site!!! LOL
yes — i was pleased to recieve this book as a christmas pressie-it sits well with the 2 cambridge latin courses im teaching myself by. with the cambridge one whowever -you learn latin as if you were there -its all done around a family – their home life etc etc . I remember being so annoyed with myself when I hadn’t worked out for myself proffesor lupins status ( the potter books — lupinus lupinus etc. )