LATIN

[Salvianus]

how big a factor is latin at re enactments?

Comitatus has always used the Latin drill commands from Maurice's C5th-6th Strategikon. These do not adhere to earlier theoretical standards of grammar (nor does, I understand, the graffiti of Pompeii).

For special events I have used Latin prayers based on the contemporary (for us!) Vulgate, somewhat inelegant & inconsistent in expressing what scholarship indicates was the original meaning, but good for formal speeches.

We sometimes throw in some conversational Latin in front of the public, but address them in modern English and not 'in role'.

I believe that the average legionarius of our period & unit would have spoken any of several Germanic languages & would have been expected to use Latin (albeit with indifferent attention to case and tense) regarding military matters, by reason of tradition and to maintain a common tongue within the army.