latinpron.htm

Latin Pronunciation

Key things to watch out for:
1.    Accent: on the penult if penult is long (long vowel or closed); on antepenult if penult is short (short vowel and open).
        Note especially 2nd vs. 3rd conjugations infinitives: monére but cápere.
2.    Long vowels are only longer versions of shorts: do not turn them into diphthongs.
3.    i as a consonant: e.g., iam and ieci. This is usually the case where i starts a word and is followed by another vowel.
4.    r is lightly trilled. It does not effect the vowel that precedes it: mare.
5.    ph and th are pronounced as aspirated p and t: philosophia, theatrum.
6.    Double consonants need extra time: siccus, mittis.
7.    y is like French u or German ü: tyrannus
8.    avoid American a: cano.

Some refinements if you wish:
1.    “b” before “s” or “t” = English “p”: urbs
2.    “gn” = English “ngn”: magnus
3.    nasalize “m” at the end of a word, as in French”on”: virum

The one and only key to success: Read aloud often.

On the Web

Harvard Classics Poetry and Prose Recital Page: Recitations of passsages from Latin and Greek Literature by members of the Harvard Classics Faculty.

Latin Background: Includes discussions of vowel length, reading of verse, and sources for our knowledge of pronunciation by William Harris of Middlebury College.
Former UT Professor Gareth Morgan Reading texts by Cicero, Catullus, and Horace
Society for the Oral Reading of Greek and Latin Literature: includes numerous guides and recordings
A Latin text-to-speech engine.
Recordings of Plautine Cantica.

Book

Vox Latina : a guide to the pronunciation of classical Latin. / Allen, W. Sidney. 2d ed. Cambridge, Eng. 1978. Complete discussion of how we think Latin was pronounced in ancient times and why. PA 2117 A5 1978 Classics Library; an earlier edition can be found at PA 2117 A5 Classics Library; and 471.5 AL54V PCL Stacks

Recordings

The pronunciation and reading of classical Latin. Daitz, Stephen G. Guilford, CT / 1984; CASSTTE 3250 Audiovisual library. Presents instruction in the reading of classical Latin, including vowels, consonants, accents, and rhythm.
Classics of Latin Poetry and Prose. Passsages from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Horace, and Vergil, read by members of the University of Texas Classics Department. Caedmon Records, 1970. HMRCLP 26226, UT Fine Arts Library Remote Storage

Selections from Latin literature read aloud by Robert P. Sonkowsky of the University of Minnesota. (Guilford, CT 1984-1985)

Selections from Cicero. f CASSTTE 3252, UT Fine Arts Library Remote Storage
Selections from Catullus and Horace. f CASSTTE 3251, UT Fine Arts Library Remote Storage
Selections from Vergil. f CASSTTE 3253, UT Fine Arts Library Remote Storage

last modified September 1, 2010 by timmoore@mail.utexas.edu