The Latin language is NOT dead!
I've taken a lot of interest in languages, and I'm a huge advocate of Latin. People insist that this Classical language, because it is no longer widely spoken conversationally, has faded away. But Latin has an extremely long history, is significant in literature and religion, and was essential to the survival of Western civilization. We all owe a debt of gratitude to this ancient tongue. Without even realizing it, all of us use and keep Latin alive every day of our lives.
To say that language is only used to communicate with those immediately around you, used in an exclusively conversational manner, is far from the truth. We use language to write our poetry and books, which allows us to communicate across time. It is possible to speak, in a sense, to some old thinker across two thousand years of history, thanks to languages like Latin.
The Greek and Roman philosophers of eras past had a lot to say about humanity, and we've learned a lot from them over the years, due to an understanding and appreciation of the Classical languages. For instance, a major factor which contributed to the gradual end of the Dark Age in Europe was the knowledge fortuitously recorded in Latin.
Julius Caesar told of his conquests in Latin. Marcus Aurelius wrote his philosophies in Latin. Newton wrote his Principia, the founding manuscript of physics, in Latin. To truly understand the message of these individuals, and countless others, it is necessary to understand and appreciate the Latin tongue.
Latin is the basis of many languages, like Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. A surprising majority of English, which is not even a Romantic (Latin-derived) language, comes from Latin. We all use phrases daily that come directly to us from Latin.
Latin is not dead or even dying, it's just being tragically ignored in today's world.
As a student of Latin, I personally LOVE it. I love the way it translates and how many different ways there are to say things. Is it applicable to real life, YES! But people underestimate the power of Latin. There are just some things that can't be said with the same effect as in Latin.
For example,
Per aspera ad astra.
Through difficulties to the stars.
Through difficulties? Through hardship to the stars? It just doesn't roll off the tongue the same way. The meaning is the same, but it just sounds better in Latin.
But besides just how things roll off the tongue, words have more significance. There's just so much more behind the words. While English is an amalgamation of other languages, Latin BEGAN other languages.
I think I'm preaching to the choir here. I feel that Latin has a lot of merit. Besides the nonsense of the beginning of my post. And I agree with your arguments.
Oops double post, sorry!
By the way, do you know how to delete comments (if possible)? I'm sort of new around here. I joined awhile ago but just recently began actually coming on.... so I don't know how to do stuff....