Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I think that I am thinking too much, but....
I thought that Latin was from Europe. So why do we call South and Central America, Latin America/ And if we say Latinos, does that also refer to the people living near the Mediterranian, such as Greece, Spain, and Italy?

[rogan]

Because they use Latin based languages - Spanish and Portugese.

from " latinate" = like Latin

As in "dark latin looks" describing Spanish or Italian men

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Dear naturegirl321:

Yep, Rogan's right. Here's the nitty-gritty for ya:

Latin America: the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. The 20 republics are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The term Latin America is also used to include Puerto Rico, the French West Indies, and other islands of the West Indies where a Romance tongue is spoken. Occasionally the term is used to include Belize, Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname.

And just for fun, here's the etymology of the word Latin:

Latin - Old English: latin, from L. Latinus "belonging to Latium," the region of Italy around Rome.

etymology courtesy of: http://www.geocities.com/etymonline/index.html

RegardsAsAlways,
kENt

[naturegirl321]

Wow, thanks so much for the info. Like the thing about Latin men. Unfortunately, there aren't any here.....

[biffinbridge]

1.quid quid id est timeos danaos donas ferentes
2.dulce et decorum est pro patria more
3.quo vadis

hope this helps with the latin bit...............

[naturegirl321]

Thanks. . . but what do those three things mean?

[khmerhit]

i. Beware the Greeks even when they come bearing gifts.

ii. Sweet and proper is it to die for one's country.

iii. Whither goest thou?

Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior

[scot47]

When I am running the show everyone who wants to teach English wil have to have at least 5 years of High School/College level Latin.

Alas the day when I am Minister of Education in the Unified Earth Government may be some time off.