II. SUBJECTS AND SCOPE OF THE EXAMINATIONS.
1. Translation at Sight. Candidates will be examined in translation at
sight of both prose and verse. The vocabulary, constructions, and range of
ideas of the passages set will be suited to the preparation secured by the
reading indicated above.
2. Prescribed Reading. Candidates will be examined also upon the following
prescribed reading: Cicero, orations for the Manilian Law and for
Archias, and Vergil, Æneid, I, II, and either IV or VI at the option of
the candidate, with questions on subject-matter, literary and historical allusions,
and prosody. Every paper in which passages from the prescribed
reading are set for translation will contain also one or more passages for
translation at sight; and candidates must deal satisfactorily with both these
parts of the paper, or they will not be given credit for either part.
3. Grammar and Composition. The examinations in grammar and composition
will demand thorough knowledge of all regular inflections, all
common irregular forms, and the ordinary syntax and vocabulary of the
prose authors read in school, with ability to use this knowledge in writing
simple Latin prose. The words, constructions, and range of ideas called for
in the examinations in composition will be such as are common in the reading
of the year, or years, covered by the particular examination.
Note.—The examinations in grammar and composition may be either in separate papers
or combined with other parts of the Latin examination, at the option of each individual
institution; and nothing in any of the above definitions of the requirements shall be taken
to prevent any college from asking questions on the grammar, prosody, or subject-matter
of any of the passages set for translation, if it so desires.
SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING PREPARATION.
Exercises in translation at sight should begin in school with the first
lessons in which Latin sentences of any length occur, and should continue
throughout the course with sufficient frequency to insure correct methods
of work on the part of the student. From the outset particular attention
should be given to developing the ability to take in the meaning of each
word—and so, gradually, of the whole sentence—just as it stands; the sentence
should be read and understood in the order of the original, with full
appreciation of the force of each word as it comes, so far as this can be
known or inferred from that which has preceded and from the form and the
position of the word itself. The habit of reading in this way should be encouraged
and cultivated as the best preparation for all the translating that
the student has to do. No translation, however, should be a mechanical
metaphrase. Nor should it be a mere loose paraphrase. The full meaning
of the passage to be translated, gathered in the way described above, should
finally be expressed in clear and natural English.
A written examination cannot test the ear or tongue, but proper instruction
in any language will necessarily include the training of both.
The school work in Latin, therefore, should include much reading aloud,
writing from dictation, and translation from the teacher's reading. Learning
suitable passages by heart is also very useful, and should be more practiced.
The work in composition should give the student a better understanding
of the Latin he is reading at the time, if it is prose, and greater facility in
reading. It is desirable, however, that there should be systematic and regular
work in composition during the time in which poetry is read as well; for
this work the prose authors already studied should be used as models.
In accordance with the above report, the following detailed description
of the four units of Latin is given:
Latin A. Grammar, Composition and Translation:—The Roman pronunciation;
habitual observance of accent and quantity; thorough mastery
of the regular forms; the simple rules of word-formation and derivation;
syntax of the cases, tenses, and modes; accusative and infinitive, relative
and conditional sentences, indirect discourse, and the subjunctive. Translation
into Latin of easy detached sentences illustrating grammatical principles,
and of very easy continuous prose based upon the vocabulary of
Cæsar and Cicero. (One unit.)
Latin B. Cæsar's Gallic War, Books I-IV, Grammar, Composition:—
A reasonable acquaintance with the time and purpose of the author; intelligent
grasp of the thought; ability to summarize the narrative as a whole;
ready comprehension of the normal forms and constructions; a reasonable
facility in reading at sight passages of like vocabulary and construction. As
much as one book of Cæsar may be substituted by an equivalent amount
of Viri Romæ, or other Latin prose. In connection with all of the reading
there must be constant practice in prose composition, as well as in sight
translation. (One unit.)
Latin C. Cicero's Orations against Catiline, and Two Others, Grammar,
Composition:—A reasonable acquaintance with the time and circumstances
of the Catilinarian conspiracy; intelligent appreciation of the orator's
thought and purpose; ability to summarize the oration as a whole;
readiness in explaining normal forms and constructions; reasonable facility
in reading at sight passages of like vocabulary and structure. As much as
two orations may be substituted by an equivalent amount of Neopos, or
other Latin prose. In connection with all of the reading there must be
constant practice in prose composition, as well as in sight translation.
(One unit.)
Latin D. Vergil's Æneid, Books I-VI, Grammar, Composition:—A reasonable
acquaintance with the time and purpose of the poet; intelligent appreciation
of the poet's thought and art; ability to summarize the story as
a whole; acquaintance with the typical forms and constructions of poetry;
practical mastery of the heroic hexameter; reasonable facility in reading at
sight passages of like vocabulary and difficulty. The third and fifth book
of the Æneid may be substituted by an equivalent amount of Ovid, or other
Latin epic poetry. In connection with all reading there should be constant
practice in prose composition, as well as in sight translation. (One unit.)
