To Professor Ross Scaife University of Kentucky Lexington, USA
A short while ago, I was asked to express my opinion on the Institute of Classics at Lexington University. Although I have no personal experience of the Institute, the name and excellent reputation of Kentucky Classics have been of my knowledge for several years. The principal reason for this is the most unique and individual means of teaching and learning Latin, - unique probably to the U.S.A. and almost unique to Europe: the approach to the Latin language through its active application.
It is without true reason that Latin in its spoken form frequently finds itself rejected, both by students and more mature interessants; explanations include the absence of a Latin speaking nation and the reservation of the modern Latin literature for only a small number of academics. With exception of the existence of a Neolatin Philology and literature analysis alongside of medieval Latin philology, a fluency of that language in its colloquial form opens up a significantly deeper, more sensitive and more accessible approach to the interpretation of Latin texts. In order to convey this philosophy effectively, requires great understanding and long experience of the language by the teaching individual. Professor Terence Tunberg has achieved such expertise and professionalism in this practice which can be admired and pursued throughout the world.
The wonderful website of Kentucky Classics proposes both a sensible and realistic curriculum set out in four parts. This carefully takes into consideration all aspects of the Latin study, reaching from Roman classics to Latin as it stands today. I am more than convinced that this is not an outstanding model for the U.S.A. only.
Dr. Klaus Sallmann Professor of Classics University of Mainz D-55099 Mainz (Germany)
Created on ... March 26, 2001