[Wonder Warthog]

"So you've got basically 800 years of a Latin tradition, which is significant. It's not "just another language" - it has been the Church's language, and of course it was the universal language of scholars for a good 500 years, and the parent tongue of most of the languages in the West."

And that time period is long dead---time to bury it. The notion that Latin is somehow "special" is simply ridiculous. The retention of Latin was a convenience for the church heirarchy--nothing more. It saved on translation needs, because everyone in the heirarchy was required to know Latin. It is needed no longer.

[Diva]

The retention of Latin was a convenience for the church heirarchy--nothing more. It saved on translation needs, because everyone in the heirarchy was required to know Latin. It is needed no longer.

Well, a universal indult will only mean for you the continuation of ignorance of Latin so no need to worry.

[AnAmericanMother]

Latin IS special, and most scholars know it.

It remains a parent language -- and a sure 300 point advantage on the SATs, BTW, for precisely that reason.

It remains a universal language for the entire church. I could attend Mass in Mexico, on a Dutch island, a French island, or in Haiti, and hear the same Mass.

Another distinct advantage is that it is of all the languages except Italian the easiest and most beautiful to sing.