learn Latin

Looks like I’ve started learning Latin again. It only took one little push: I decided to go to a Latin class one day and just listen. I stated that I would do it, and I did it; it took a lot of willpower — getting way out of my comfort zone, but I did it anyway, and it has proven quite rewarding. So I guess words really do transform into actions.

This time, I’m using both the materials from the class and Ørberg’s book. We’ll see how far this goes; I plan to enroll in Latin 2 and later 3, so it should go pretty far. That being said, I should probably get going! Class is starting in about fifteen minutes!

Marking this “given up” for now. I haven’t been doing anything related to learning Latin for two months now, anyway. I might start again some day…

To learn some Latin every single day of the year, whether it be small bits of vocabulary or grammar.

Well, I’ve basically failed at this. I keep telling myself, every day, that I will learn Latin, but I don’t. I just can’t seem to find any sources of motivation. Analyzing what I’ve done to keep me “motivated” in the past (a punishment for myself if I don’t do Latin that day), I’ve figured that my methods are all wrong. I’m going to take the opposite path and give myself rewards, instead. So, now, I’m trying to find some kind of daily/weekly prize that I can give myself after completing my studies for the day, and a big prize after I finish my book. Any suggestions?

I haven’t made much progress since my last entry. This is disappointing.

My progress in Latin has really slowed down since my last post. I’m still in Chapter 11; I’ve learned the grammar, but not the vocabulary; I still have to do the exercises, of course. I’m very disappointed with myself. I thought I was finally motivated enough not to procrastinate. Apparently, I’m not.

I seem to never follow my plans, which I think are reasonable. This is so frustrating! I thought I would be in Chapter 15 by now, making steady progress toward my goal of fluency.

But, no.

My progress has slowed to a crawl. I’m not getting anywhere; I’m not even making practice posts to my blog anymore, and I’m not learning new vocabulary. How could I fall into such a state in just one week? This is ridiculous!

No. I cannot let all this sadness seep into me and convince me to end my pursuit. I will continue, however slow or frustrating this may seem.

Well, I’ve spent way too much time working on Amor In Philyrā these past two days, but I managed to squeeze in some time to review my vocabulary and to do the exercises for Chapter 10. Unfortunately, I haven’t really been studying my 1400 words, so no progress there. I’m sensing some slacking off on my part. I really have to fix that.

Chorus 1: x4
Miya-hee
Miya-hoo
Miya-ho
Miya-haha

Chorus 2
Salvē. Salvē. ego. sum. pro.scriptus.
Am.āb.ō. tē amor. meus. gaudium. accipē..
Salvē. salvē. sum. Pi.casso..,
Sonum. tibi. dabam. et. va.lēō.
Mē. non. poscere. ulli. a tē scī.

Chorus 3: x2
Abīre. cu.pis. sed. mē. non. ad.sum.is.,
Mē. non. ad.sum.is.,
Am.or. in. phi.ly.rā. et.
Vultus. tu.us. oculō..rum.
tuōrum. mē. monē..ō.

Chorus 4:
Vo.cō. tē dē. meā. sen.ten.tiā.
Salvē. amor.. meus. E.go. sum gaudium.
Salvē. Salvē. ego. rursus. sum. Picasso.
Sonum. tibi. dabam. et. va.lēō.
Mē. non. poscere. ulli. a tē scī.

Chorus 3, Chorus 1, Chorus 3

—
Best I could do to make it fit the rhythm; I tried to keep it within a one syllable difference. Also, I don’t know if everything’s grammatically correct.
PS: Dots denote where the word divisions are in the original (guideline for singing).

I finished the grammar for Chapter 10 three hours ago. Easy, considering that I’ve been looking ahead at the subjunctive mood and participles. ‘Twas just a bunch of paradigms to memorize, and they are all quite similar to those presented in Chapter 8. I put off the vocabulary again, though; this time, it was out of pure laziness. I should establish a schedule-following habit… At least I’m progressing. Also, I’ve resolved to start reading Latin aloud, even though I feel self-conscious when I do it. Supposedly, reading aloud will help my comprehension.

Well, so far, I’m on schedule in grammar; a day behind schedule in vocabulary. I finished chapters seven and eight today, and started chapter nine. I’ve kind of learned (I don’t really have them down yet) the declensions for hic, ille, and iste today. In terms of vocabulary, I did repetitions for chapter seven and eight vocabulary (fifty words), but that was just making up what I didn’t do yesterday. Learning another hundred words today is probably unrealistic, so I’ll probably just learn the ~twenty-five from chapter nine.

Anyhow, my revised schedule (SuperMemo repetitions not included):
Wed. 11/21: Learn Ch. 9 vocabulary
Thu. 11/22: Do Ch. 9 exercises. Thanksgiving, so I probably won’t have time to do much else.
Fri. 11/23: Learn Ch. 10 grammar; learn Ch. 10 vocabulary. Learn an additional 75 words from the word list of 1400 most common Latin words.
Sat. 11/24: Do a few Ch. 10 exercises; post to blog in Latin, using newly learned grammar (and words. Maybe). Learn 100 words from the word list of 1400 most common Latin words.
Sun. 11/25: Ditto 11/23, but with Chapter 11.

And for after Thanksgiving Break… (unusual amounts of homework not anticipated)
Mon. 11/26: Ditto 11/24, but with 50 words and Chapter 11.
Tue. 11/27: Ditto 11/23, but with Chapter 12 and 25 words.
Wed. 11/28: Ditto 11/26, but with Chapter 12.

This is, of course, still a provisional schedule. It does not allow for the, albeit little, school work I left for myself for break; nor does it allow for my having to do UC application essays. Also, I plan to start learning some basic Attic Greek after Ch. 20 of Wheelock’s.

Hmm… I should make my entries shorter.