Classical vs. Christian

[Lori]

My son is going into 2nd grade. I'm going to do Prima Latina. I want to know the differences between the classical and Christian curriculum and what you think is best?

Thank you

[jeremiah213]

Lori,

I'm assuming that you are referring to the two pronunciation styles. Let me tell you a little bit about both of them before I answer your question. First, both of them are theoretical and so neither can claim with very much certainty that it is the authoritative pronunciation style. Second the Christian, Ecclesiastical or Medieval pronunciation came from the pronunciations that Catholic Monks handed down to us since they kept it alive for centuries when everyone else had ceased using Latin. Third, the Classical pronunciation is a recent invention, arriving on the scene around the turn of the last century circa 1900's, based on some textual evidence, but mostly I think in an effort for the academic study of Latin to take a step away from any religious connections.

Ok...that said... I think you should go with the Christian/Ecclesiastical/Medieval Pronunciation and here are my reasons.

1. It's the closest to regular English sounds and is easily picked up.
2. It's the pronunciation that Prima uses, mostly for the reason above.
3. You're not going to mess anything up by using one or the other, and so all things be relatively equal... use the one the boo is using. :)

Glen Moore