GCSE Latin WJEC

This subject is broken down into 40 topics in 4 modules:

  1. Grammar 17 topics
  2. Literature (Themes) 10 topics
  3. Literature (Narratives) 10 topics
  4. Roman Civilisation 3 topics
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Latin

Grammar

1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th declension nouns

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1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th declension nouns

1st Declension Nouns

  • Nouns in the 1st declension are usually feminine, though a few masculine exceptions exist.
  • They typically end in '-a' in their nominative singular form.
  • The genitive singular form ends in 'ae'.
  • These nouns typically refer to women, professions, or ideas.

2nd Declension Nouns

  • 2nd declension nouns can be masculine or neuter.
  • Masculine nouns often end with '-us' (some end in '-er') in the nominative singular form, while neuter nouns generally end in '-um'.
  • Both masculine and neuter 2nd declension nouns have a genitive singular form that ends in '-i'.
  • Includes people, places, things, and concepts.

3rd Declension Nouns

  • This declension includes masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns.
  • 3rd declension nouns have a variety of endings in the nominative singular form, making them harder to recognise.
  • The genitive singular form ends in '-is'.
  • It includes adjectives and nouns describing concepts and things.

4th Declension Nouns

  • Most 4th declension nouns are masculine, with a few exceptions that are neuter.
  • The nominative singular form usually ends in '-us' and the neuters end in '-u'.
  • Genitive singular form ends in '-us' for both masculine and neuter.
  • Most of these nouns denote states and actions.

5th Declension Nouns

  • Nouns of this declension are almost all feminine.
  • The nominative singular form typically ends with an '-es', and the genitive singular form ends with '-ei'.
  • Used for words describing states, actions, diseases, and qualities.

Course material for Latin, module Grammar, topic 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th declension nouns

Latin

Literature (Themes)

Aspects of literary style: word order

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Aspects of literary style: word order

Introduction to Word Order

  • Understand that in Latin literature, the order of words can often be flexible, unlike in English.
  • Recognise that authors often manipulate this word order for dramatic effect, emphasis, or to fit the metre in poetry.

Syntax and Style

  • Appreciate the syntactical latitude of Latin, where words can be rearranged yet still maintain correct grammar due to inflections.
  • Acknowledge the role of inflections - endings added to words, indicating tense, number, case, and gender - in contributing to the flexibility of word order.

Word Order for Dramatic Effect

  • Recognise how Latin authors adjust word order to create suspense or surprise, by delaying key words or information to the end of a sentence.
  • Appreciate how placing key actions or objects at the beginning or end of a sentence can highlight them, adding dramatic impact.

Emphasis and Word Placement

  • Understand how positioning can give words greater emphasis. Words at the start or end of a sentence often carry more weight.
  • Note how negative words can be placed away from the words they negate for intensified irony or surprise.

Word Order in Poetry

  • Recognise the role of word order in poetry where it's manipulated to fit the metre or create pleasing or dramatic sound effects.
  • Remember that poetic word order can involve unusual arrangements for alliteration, chiasmus (cross-over structure), or interlocking word order.

Consideration in Translations

  • Be aware that when translating, it's important to keep the original emphasis where possible, even if this means deviating from typical English word order.
  • Remember that understanding Latin word order can aid in interpreting character emotions, authorial intention, and thematic exploration.
  • Always be alert to unusual word orders as they often signify important dramatic or thematic moments in the text.

Course material for Latin, module Literature (Themes), topic Aspects of literary style: word order

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