Most unfortunately, the french school programs in my days seemed to be the result of a concerted effort by the education authorities to make the study of latin --and greek--an utterly disgusting chore.<br>
Then maybe it was just me, but it looks like the study of those two "dead" languages was excluvely reserved to dead teachers..<br>
...Who, as a result, were blessed with dead students.<br>
It's true that you don't really need a command of those languages to study ancient history.<br>
But I sure miss knowing latin and greek, now.<br>
Besides, the study and latin and greek is not really about speaking the language, it's more about studying its structure. That helps understanding the mental structure of those that spoke them.<br>
As for the way latin was spoken then, I gather there was as many different pronunciations as there are now in modern major languages. The more so as the Empire expanded.<br>
I am pretty sure the "R's" were rolled, though.<br>
And when I pronounce the famous words "Qousque tandem, Catilina, patienta nostra abuteris", somewhat I feel they were uttered by his author in a very emphatic, theatrical way and not in a calm and dignified manner.<br>
Actually, he probably shouted..<br>
I also think the Romans, and the ancients in general, spoke louder than today, being more accustomed to speak in public places.<br>
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