Quale vinum, tale Latinum – The better the wine, the better the Latin

While it may seem at first sight that the literal translation of this Latin sententia means little, it actually says a lot about the high esteem in which Latin was once held. Namely, a host served his guest with the wine of the lowest quality first, followed by a tastier wine of better, and then, finally, of the best quality. The guest commented on each serving differently, first with the incorrect Bonus vinus, then Bono vinum, reserving the grammatically accurate, Bonum vinum, for the very end, that is, for the best wine.

Even today, Latin, as a member of the Indo-European group which spawned all Romance languages, is very much alive. It is a symbol of erudition, logic, and a foundation for grammar in general.

In view of the fact that Latin is not an actively spoken language and that you therefore cannot practice it everywhere, watch movies in this language, and so on, it is considered a relatively difficult language to learn. Nevertheless, it is quite melodious and clearly demarcated.

Seeing as how this is a language that has completed its development, with the right teacher, you can learn Latin to perfection.

The Hi5 educational center offers Latin language courses fully tailored to your needs.

You will need Latin if you decide to follow a career in medicine or law. In addition, if you need help preparing for an exam at the Faculty of Medicine or Law, remedial assistance to help you bring your grades up, or preparation for a Latin language competition, the Hi5 educational center is here for you. We also provide professional translation services, and you can find more information in our price list.

As already noted, Latin is a language that is no longer used in everyday communication. It is therefore completely understandable why there are not many international diplomas you can receive for your proficiency in Latin. The so-called National Latin Exam (NLE) in the US is organized once per year for young people worldwide.

If you pass this exam in Latin, you get much more than just a diploma – you get recognition, acknowledgment, and respect for having mastered one of the more challenging languages. You can find further information about this exam, including important dates and fees, on their official web page. .

Latin was the language of choice for some of the wisest, most learned people on the planet. Poets, authors, philosophers, mathematicians, and other scientists have recorded their creative thoughts and their theories precisely in Latin. Many curious facts surround this language still, indicating its enduring significance:

Works dedicated to the globally-known wizard Harry Potter have been translated into Latin (“Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis”).

The great 14th-century poet from Arezzo, Francesco Petrarch, held his own works written in Latin in greater esteem than those in Italian. What is more, he considered only his works in Latin as deserving of glory.

Every academic special occasion begins with the unofficial student anthem, “Gaudeamus igitur”.

If you’re thinking Latin is entirely superfluous in today’s society, bear in mind the proverb Quidquid discis. tibi discis – Whatever you learn, you learn for yourself (Petronius).

If you want to check your proficiency in Latin quickly, simply, and completely free of charge, you can do this using the placement test we have prepared for you. You will receive the results immediately after completing the test, so you will know which areas require work. You can take this test multiple times, but please bear in mind that the original test results are usually the most reliable.