Salue! and welcome to Retinenda, The Lutheran Latin website for those learning and using the ancient language of the Western Church. The word retinenda means "[Latin] should be retained," an idea recognized and practiced by the Lutheran confessions. This site offers texts and audio recordings in Latin of important Lutheran authors in order to encourage those seeking to make Latin part of their devotional life.
Confessionum Lutheranarum studiosi
This is a mailing group where you can correspond in Latin about the Lutheran Confessions and other pertinent matters. Don't worry about writing poor quality Latin; no one will censure you. We don't fault toddlers for speaking nonsensical English, why then would we fault anyone for learning to communicate in any other language?
Learning Latin Prose Composition
There are various ways to go about learning to write in Latin (both prose and verse). Here are some works which you can purchase or download. Optimus magister bonus liber.
By far the best book for learning Latin composition is Bradley's Arnold Latin Prose Composition. Here is a reprint. I think there are other editions as well.
Other books for sale are:
The following can be found on Google Books:
Computerized Lexica:
By far the best book for learning Latin composition is Bradley's Arnold Latin Prose Composition. Here is a reprint. I think there are other editions as well.
Other books for sale are:
- John C. Traupman, Conversational Latin for Oral Proficiency, 4th ed. (Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2007). Liber hic glossarium perutile Latinitatis recentis habet.
- Goodwin B. Beach et Ford Lewis Battles, Locvtionvm Cotidianarvm Glossarivm: a guide to Latin conversation, Third Edition (Hartford, CN: Hartford Seminary Press, 1967).
The following can be found on Google Books:
- Thomas Kerchever Arnold, A practical introduction to Latin prose composition (this preceded Bradley's Arnold above. Did I mention that you really should buy Bradley's Arnold?)
- Smith, A copious and critical English-Latin dictionary
- Louis Quicherat, Thesaurus poeticus linguae latinae: ou Dictionnaire prosodique et poétique de la langue latine, contenant tous les mots employés dans les ouvrages ou les fragments qui nous restent des poètes latins
- Alexander William Potts, Hints towards Latin prose composition
- Joseph Henry Allen, Latin composition: an elementary guide to writing in Latin
Computerized Lexica:
- Whitaker's Words
- Glossa: Lewis & Short's Latin dictionary online and for WIndows and Mac
- Lexilogos: a handful of good Latin dictionaries online
- Archimedes: another way to access Lewis & Short.
Learning Latin Verse Composition
This book makes for good start, if you can find it: WEP Pantin, A First Latin Verse Book.
For more books on verse composition and on Latin composition in general, see these books on Google Books.
For more books on verse composition and on Latin composition in general, see these books on Google Books.