Classical Languages Courses

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What are Classical Languages?

A classical language is a language with an independent literary tradition and a large and ancient body of written literature.

In the context of traditional European classical studies, the “classical languages” refer to Greek and Latin, which were the literary languages of the Mediterranean world in classical antiquity. In terms of worldwide cultural importance, this list has been extended to include Chinese, Arabic, and Sanskrit.

In this sense, a classical language is a language that has a broad influence over an extended period, even after it is no longer a colloquial mother tongue in its original form. If one language uses roots from another language to coin words (in the way that many European languages use Greek and Latin roots to devise new words such as “telephone”, etc.), this is an indication that the second language is classical. In comparison, living languages with a large sphere of influence are known as world languages.

Latin and Greek are the most common of the Classical Languages and their literature is fundamental to Western Civilization. Latin forms the basis of the Romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, and others). Knowledge of either ancient language, with their detailed and logical grammars, makes learning any other language easier.

What 3rd level courses are available?

Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Classical Languages courses in the following subject areas:

  • Classical Languages – The Study of language, literature, and thought of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome.
  • Reading Classical Greek: Language and Literature – A study of the basic vocabulary and grammar needed to start reading classical Greek texts in the original and introduction to the culture of classical Greece.
  • Classics: Greek and Roman Civilization, Latin & Greek – The study of Classics that will give you insights into the ancient past and the ideas and texts that shaped the present.

Studying Classical Languages in college

Many Classical Languages courses take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.

Courses will cover all theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification.

You could also consider work experience or volunteering in a facility in an area you wish to work in can be particularly helpful for future job applications. This could be a structured work placement, a part-time job, voluntary work, or even a period of work shadowing. Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.

Getting involved in student societies can also be a good way of developing skills related to your chosen career. Studying a Classics degree provides you with skills relevant for several sectors, including museum and gallery work, legal, teaching and academia, media and broadcasting, film and television, banking, consultancy, and marketing.

Career options

After completing a course in Classical Languages you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of the Classics and an appreciation for ancient cultures.

Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full time and the working days of the week will depend on the facility that you work for as the opening hours may vary.

A degree in Classics makes you attractive to many employers, such as art centers and theatres, financial institutions, government agencies, heritage organizations, legal firms, libraries, museums, publishing houses, research and information organizations, and universities.

Related jobs include:

  • Archivist
  • Barrister
  • Civil Service fast streamer
  • Editorial assistant
  • Heritage manager
  • Higher education lecturer
  • Market researcher
  • Museum/Gallery curator
  • Newspaper journalist
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Solicitor
  • Academic researcher

Further study

After completing a course in Classical Languages you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as law, teaching, librarianship, or accountancy.

Classics graduates often choose to study Masters or PhDs in classics or related subjects, such as classical archaeology, ancient history, and Greek and Latin languages and literature. Becoming a specialist in an academic discipline, particularly at the Ph.D. level, can be the first step towards getting an academic job as a lecturer/researcher.

Other classics graduates opt for more vocational courses, generally at Masters’s Level, such as museum studies or records and archive management.

FAQ

What skills will I learn from a course in Classical Languages?

Throughout your classics studies, you’ll acquire a range of subject-specific skills, including knowledge of the Greek and Roman languages and cultures. You will also gain the ability to research, collate and analyze materials, including written documentation and statistics. You will have new insights into critical evaluation skills and the ability to interpret resources.

You will have the capacity to formulate impartial and coherent arguments and have good spoken and written presentation skills.

Where can I study Classical Languages?

Explore your options here.

Did You Know?

· There are 2,700 languages with over 7,000 individual dialects spoken around the world today. 

· The Bible is the most widely translated book available in 2,454 different languages. 

· The language with the most extensive alphabet in the world belongs to the Cambodian language Khmer and is 74 characters long. 

· Over 300 languages are spoken in the United States, but South Africa holds the record for the country with the most official languages (11)

· Languages are constantly influencing each other. The English language is 28.3% French, adapting words through lexical borrowings. This is particularly true when we think about ballet, as almost all of the words that describe that style of dance is in French. 

· There are over 200 artificial languages that have been invented for books, television, and movies. 


Mariza Halliday

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