HLS
  Junior Editor

Actually, Latin is not a "dead" language. Knowing latin can help you derive the meaning of many of today's latin-based words, as well as the scientific names of species. Its also used daily in Catholic liturgy, and papal decrees. A good deal of legal jargon is latin phrases. Even though it may not be the spoken language of any current country, it is still a viable part of our own language for other purposes. more »