HILLCREST SECONDARY SCHOOL Final HILLCREST MAG 2017 | Page 47

Latin
The classical world affords its votaries
a view of the key values that remain
relevant in human affairs despite the
lapse of centuries. In studying Latin,
one gets a glimpse of how the daily
business of life was conducted within
the Roman world; one gets to see the
hopes, aspirations and follies of the
founding fathers of Western
civiliza-tion, to understand what it
is that made them mighty, and what
eventually led to their fall.
The relics of Roman literature that have survived the shipwreck
of time contain some of the choicest fruits of human genius, and
the history of those early times presents us with a view of things
nobly done and worthily spoken. To grant the minds of Latin
pupils some infusion and tincture of the spirit that animated the
intellects of that glorious period is the grand object that we aim
at.
Kenya; aim higher- set up
international regulations;
plan massive reforestation
initiatives; shut down
the illegal ivory trade;
introduce a harsher tax
for countries that emit
the most carbon dioxide;
understand that ambition
has no limit. Change the
world!
The pursuit of this language is an enriching experience; one
which, though it fits pupils for no specific calling, grants them
the wherewithal to excel in anything they put their minds to,
thereby enabling them to play a worthwhile role in society, and
to write a beautiful chapter in the history of humanity.
Here are some Latin words that continue to animate our English
expression: etc. - et cetera; versus – against; vice versa - the other
way round; post mortem - examination of a body ‘after death’;
status quo - existing state of affairs; per se - in itself; per annum
- for each year. There are many more that have become part of
common intellectual parlance such as ad hoc and ad nauseam,
which are somewhat pedantic and are probably unknown to
most people except lovers of literature.
By Wilbay Njoroge
By Teigist Taye
www.hillcrest.ac.ke
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