Latin For Barbarians

    During the Middle Ages, Latin was a universal language. Originally spread by the Romans, Latin as the language of the Christian church united various peoples. Priests were taught Latin with varying levels of success. As classical Latin evolved into Medieval Latin it also gave us the Romance Languages--French, Spanish, Italian, etc. It also became simpler.

    Early travelers going to the "big city" or mercenaries enlisting in the Roman auxiliaries or needing to deal with civic or church officials would naturally need to acquire or have picked up some simple Latin phrases. Here are some you can use to liven up conversation and add some period flavor. Show those uncultured fops we can be literate too!

    GreetingsTe salutem do (tay sal-U-tem dough)
    Thank youGratias tibi (GRAH-tee-ahs TIB-ee)
    FarewellVale (VA-lay)
    Let me introduce youCommendam te (co-MEN-dam tay)
    I love youTe amo (tay amo)
    Do you love me?Amasne me (ah-MAHS-na me)
    Let me help youDarem auxilium tibi (DAR-em aux-ILL-um TI-bee)
    What is your persona?Quod est tua persona (QUOD est tu-AH per-SOHN-A)
    HoldDesiste (de-SIS-tay)
    Good fightBona pugna (BONE-a PUG-na)
    Armor upPone tuas armas (pon-A tu-us AR-mas)
    Give me the swordMeum gladium mihi da (ME-um glah-DE-um me-HE da)
    I beg you, pleaseNon intellego (NOHN in-TEL-ley-go)
    I don't understandIntellegisne? (in-tel-lay-GIS-nay)
    Pardon meIgnosce (eeg-NO-skay or eeg-NO-shay)
    I’m sorryPoenitet me (POY-nit-et MAY)
    No problemNihil est (NEE-hil EST)
    Where are you going?Quo vadis (QUO WAH-dis)
    Speak more slowlyLoquere lentius (LOH-quay-ray LEN- tee-oos)
    I cannotNon possum (NOHN PAWS-soom)
    I’m hungryLatrat stomachus (LAH-traht STO-mah-koos) literally, "My stomach is barking"
    I want to buyEmere solo (EH-may-ray WOH-lo)
    How much to I owe?Quanti indicas? (QUAN-tee in-DEE-kahs)
    How much?Quantum (QUAN-toom)
    What do you want to buy?Quid emere vis? (QUID EH-may-ray WIS)
    Where is the bathroom?Ubi est balneum? (OO-bee EST BAHL-nay-oom)

    This should be enough to get you started. For more Latin phrases, check the sources:

      Pei, Mario Talking Your Way Around the World. Harper & Brothers, 1961.
      Perdix, Gregor Differences Between Classical and Medieval Latin.
      Lion's Tale, (Shire of Oldenfeld Newsletter), Summer, 1979

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