Latin/Basics 2 Lesson 1

Salvēte! This continues the elementary Latin series on Wikiversity. If you are interested in previous lessons, see the directory of lessons, a classified vocabulary list, and Memrise courses at the links on the right.

New Grammar
In previous lessons we learned nominative (subject) pronouns and some verbs in the singular, along with a few basic nouns in nominative and accusative. This lesson will complete the conjugation of the "to be" verb (sum) in the plural, and add plural nominatives:

The grammar concept you need to know is that subject nouns, pronouns (and eventually adjectives) are all put in the nominative case. And so are predicate nouns (and adjectives). The being verb acts as an equal sign in the sentence, forming an equation and equating like with like (subject is the same thing as the predicate). This is different from the brief taste of the accusative for direct objects we had last lesson, and will be an important point of contrast in future lessons. For now, let's concentrate on mastering basic nominative use with the being verb.

New Vocabulary
(n.b. subject pronouns are not used all that frequently in Latin but if they are they must be used with the appropriate verb endings).

Personally I believe the Romans would have respected and admired the Klingon race as fierce barbarian warriors. They would have been highly valued in gladiatorial exhibitions and would have been invited to train elite cohorts in the use of the bat'leth. Eventually there would have been a Klingon emperor. But this is, of course, all speculative. So is my assumption that "Klingon" would be a third declension noun, but it seemed to fit.

Practice
And that should be enough for now. Grātiās vōbīs agō = Thank you for following along, and we hope you are enjoying Latin as much as we do!