The New Case for Latin

From Time.com:

"As part of Virginia's high-stakes testing program, schools that don't boost their scores by the year 2007 could lose state funding. So Fairfax City, just 18 miles southwest of the White House, has upgraded its two crumbling elementary schools with new high-tech television studios, computer labs and one very old feature — mandatory Latin."

Read more here.

A French Feast from a Political Pot

Here's a tasty article from the New York Times, spotted by Madame O'Connell:

MORELS speckled the forest floor. For a lavish meal with family and friends, Françoise Branget, a deputy in the National Assembly from the Doubs region, sautéed those earthy black mushrooms with Bresse chicken, the king of French fowl, and the pungent “vin jaune” from the nearby Jura district. For Ms. Branget, this was not just a feast. It was a celebration of her campaign to unite deputies on the left and right in a national cause: the promotion of French gastronomy.

Read the full article here.

"Why Some Languages Sound So Fast"

Here's an interesting article from TIME about language density.

"(This study serves) as one more reminder that beneath all of the differences that separate Tagalog from Thai from Norwegian from Wolof from any one of the world's 6,800 other languages, lie some very simple, very common rules. The DNA of speech — like our actual DNA — makes us a lot closer to one another than we think."

Being Bilingual is Good for You!

(As if we didn't already know that!)

"Looking for a reason to splurge on some Rosetta Stone DVDs? It turns out that being bilingual is actually really good for your brain. For the past 40 years cognitive neuroscientist Ellen Bialystok has studied the effects of knowing two languages on the mind. It turns out that all that translating back and forth in your head is some serious exercise for the brain's synapses."

Read more in the New York Times...

Old Harvard Entrance Exam

Really interesting! A 19th century entrance exam for Harvard University, loaded with Greek, Latin, and ancient history. How would you fare?

Languages are Indispensable

Here's an interesting article in the Chronicle of Higher Education. We're fighting the good fight!

The world's highest paid athlete

Sorry, Tiger Woods-- apparently the highest paid athlete of all time was a Roman charioteer!

German Students attend Berlin Wall Events @ Vandy

On Thursday, November 5th, 22 German students joined Herr Sawyer at Vanderbilt for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Invited by the Max Kade Center for European and German Studies to bring an MBA delegation to the event, Herr Sawyer organized the fieldtrip for his students. The evening began with a panel discussion on "Germany and Europe Twenty Years after the Fall of the Wall and its Aftermath." Panelists included John Kornblum, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany, Victor Ashe, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland, and Lue Veron, Minister Counselor and Head of Political and Development Section of the Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, D.C.

Following the discussion, students were treated to a pizza dinner with other middle Tennessee high school students in the Law School Cafe. The evening concluded with a screening of the documentary "Ode to Joy and Freedom." The film details the construction of the Berlin Wall, its history, and its fall in 1989.

The evening was organized by Professor emeritus of Political Science at Vanderbilt Donald Hancock.

Odysseus and Veterans Day

Looks like the NYT has an interesting piece about Odysseus for Veterans Day, asking this central question: "Who is the veteran, and how does he stand in relation to his native land and people?"

Merkel and business-friendly FDP eager to get into quick coalition talks | Election | Deutsche Welle | 28.09.2009

Following Sunday's elections in Germany, re-elected Chancellor Angela Merkel eyes a new coalition between her CDU/CSU party and the economically liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).


Merkel and business-friendly FDP eager to get into quick coalition talks Election Deutsche Welle 28.09.2009

"New" Anglo-Saxon Gold

From the Guardian comes this story about a recent find on British soil. "Without question this is the largest group of gold artefacts ever found in British soil. Many of the pieces are of the highest quality design and technique, from a time that excelled in the creation of fine jewellery and weaponry." Be sure to watch the video!

news,2009-2010

Anderson Gaither, a Latin teacher at MBA for 39 years, has been appointed the chair of the Foreign Languages Department. He replaces Dr. Rick Seay, who has been promoted to Academic Dean. Mr. Gaither joins other past department chairs Dr. Ed Gaffney and Ms. Anne Christeson.

Vespasian's birthplace home found

Roman archaeologists working Cittareale, about 40 miles northeast of Rome, have uncovered extensive remains of a luxurious villa which they believe must be the home where the 1st century emperor Vespasian was born. The villa complex covers over 150,000 square feet and contains a huge marble inlaid floor with marble from all over the Italian peninsula. Read more about this discovery here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/07/vespasian-birthplace-roma_n_254188.html

Diplomas in Latin

Here's another NYT article of interest, but I warn you: Latin teachers, prepare to be offended!

Roman France Article

In honor of the outstanding results of our students and teachers on the National French Exam, here's an NYT article outlining our next departmental voyage!

Catacomb 3D!

Wow... Wow. This story from the BBC speaks for itself. Imagine the possibilities... and the hours I'll spend looking at this once it's done!

NYT Article About Chinese

This article offers some interesting perspectives on the debate about shifts in the Chinese language. This would be a great topic to explore with all the modern-- and even classical-- language teachers... Davis grant?

Must-hear for Latin Teachers... Or Anyone!

Michael Rosen's April 21st story for the BBC series "Word of Mouth" has it all: interviews with Latin teachers, commentary on kids' use of 'like' as a discourse particle, and much more.

Cleopatra's Tomb in the NYT

Today's New York Times has an interesting op-ed about Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff, in keeping with the excitement about the search for her tomb. I like this line: "Where facts are few, myth rushes in, the kudzu of history."

How Are They Celebrating Rome's 2762nd Birthday in Rome?

With games, of course! Find out more at eternallycool.net. Happy birthday, Rome!