30.10.26: topic; architecture [13]; describing a modern house (Traupman); dialogue (1)

A standard UK GCSE examination (for 16-year-olds) in, for example, French would explore this topic by asking the candidate to say:

[1] whether (s)he lives in, for example, a house or an apartment;

[2] how many rooms – or specifically named rooms – there are e.g. the number of bedrooms;

[3] where rooms are located either on which floor or in relation to each other;

[4] what items of furniture or equipment are in particular rooms; 3 or 4 items would be expected; the kitchen is often questioned because it has less common vocabulary (e.g. cooker, fridge etc);

[5] what activities take place in a particular room.

It is perfectly possible to do this in Latin. By applying that suggested structure, you can practise speaking the language, and talking about your own surroundings while reinforcing vocabulary and grammar.

For the most part, Classical Latin has the vocabulary required although there are a few instances where Neo-Latin is needed. However, different sources may use different words for the same modern concept, and this is referred to in the vocabulary lists. I find certain Neo-Latin words dubious, but where the word is rooted in the original CL idea – and its use can be justified – I have included it and given an explanation.

[1]

A: Gloria, potesne venire domum meam? | Gloria, can you come to my house?

B: Quid poterimus facere ibi? | What can we do there?

A: Poterimus librōs legere in cubiculō meō. | We can read books in my bedroom.

B: Benignē. Ego multōs librōs domī habeō. | No, thank you. I have many books at home

A: Fortasse poterimus coquere crūstula in culīnā nostrā. | Maybe we can bake cookies in our kitchen

B: Benignē. Ego saepe coquō crūstula in culīnā meā. | No, thank you. I often bake cookies in my kitchen.

A: Recēns ego comparāvī novum catulum. Vīsne lūdere cum meō novō catulō in peristyliō nostrō? | Recently I got a new puppy. Do you want to play with my new puppy in our courtyard?

B: Ō, ego prōrsus adorō catulōs! Eāmus illūc curriculō! | Oh, I absolutely adore puppies! Let’s go there on the double!

[2] Answer the questions:

[i] Ubi cum cane ludis?

[ii] Ubi dēambulās?

[iii] Ubi dentēs pūrgās?

[iv] Ubi dormīs?

[v] Ubi ientāculum sumis?

[vi] Ubi librōs legis?

[vii] Ubi mūsicam audīs?

[viii] Ubi prandium sumis?

[ix] Ubi tē lavās?

[x] Ubi vestīmenta mutās?