Monday, June 1, 2026

02.06.26: Vincent and the Passport Cover [1]

To reinforce the Latin language (rather than it staying in a dusty old book) Vincent shows you that the language can [i] be spoken and [ii] refer to everything that applies to your own life, even ‘off-beat’ topics such as passport covers!

However, if you are starting out in Latin, you need to have some perspective. Vincent’s Latin is fluent and, within one short presentation, he will use a range of expressions, some of which are at a basic level whereas others climb higher. As always, take note of the ‘Levels’ that title most posts in the group.

It could not have come at a more opportune moment since I am about to publish a series of connected posts entitled ‘step-by-step’; they will start here on June 20th. Those posts will show that learning a language, any language, is not based upon being overwhelmed – and intimidated – by a range of concepts at one time. You don’t build a house by starting with the roof tiles – you start with the foundations and work up – slowly – adding ‘bricks’ of knowledge as you go along.

In Vincent’s video I will highlight basic concepts that are useful for beginners.

Modo hoc dōnum ab amīcō quōdam accēpī … | I have just received this gift from a (certain) friend …

… et mihi valdē placet. | … and I like it very much [literally: it is very much pleasing to me]

Itaque vōbīs ostendere velim. | Therefore, I would like to show it to you (all).

Quid est hoc? | What is this?

Est tegumentum syngraphī viātōriī. | It is a passport cover.

Haec pictūra mē dēlectat: | I really like this picture [literally: This picture delights me]:

Lepida enim est versiō iōcōsa … | For it is an amusing version …

veteris īnsignis Saigōniēnsis. | … of the old emblem of Saigon.

In scūtō vidēmus nāvem secundīs ventīs per mare nāvigantem. | On the shield we see a ship sailing across the sea with favourable winds.

Utrimque tigrēs adsunt | On either side there are tigers.

et lemma est Paulātim crescam. | And the motto is “I shall grow gradually.”

Agitur ipsā urbe Saigōniā. | It’s about the city of Saigon itself.

Paulātim? | Gradually?

Immō celeriter crēvit Saigōnia … | On the contrary, Saigon has grown rapidly …

… et maxima urbs Vietnamiae facta est, nōnne? | … and has become the largest city in Vietnam, hasn’t it?

Bene, grātiās tibi agō, amīce, … | Well, thank you, (my) friend, …

… sī hanc taeniolam nunc spectās! | … if you are watching this video now!

Those highlighted points are discussed in the next post.

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