Latin

This article deals with Latin as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

Latin is very much a base language, from which a very large number of modern-day languages are derived in one way or another. Latin was originally promoted by the rise of the Roman Empire. In modern times however, the only Real World nation that really uses Latin anymore is the Vatican City but several nations in NationStates still have Latin as their Official Language, making it by no means a dead tongue. A large number of national mottos are also in Latin.

Most nations in which Latin is an Official Language are based on Classical or Neoclassical cultures, heavily influenced by Ancient Rome.

The World

• Latin in Ator People: Latin is the only "official" language of Ator People. However, it is rarely used in informal speaking. School age children learn Latin as a first language throughout grade school and beyond. English and French are most commonly spoken among commoners, but some dukes/duchesses as well as other nobles speak Latin often. All newspapers are required to have stories printed in Latin. Many newspapers split their paper into columns, with one side in Latin and another translated into either English or French. All business owners are also required to speak Latin and have all signs in Latin as well. School subjects are also taught in Latin during High School and College. The national motto is in Latin as well.

• Latin in Becquerelia: Latin is the official language of Becquerelia, but has not been used popularly for centuries. Today, Latin is only used for official government documents, as it has traditionally been. Students in Becquerelia are expected to learn how to converse in Latin, even if they aren't expected to do so in a non-school setting.

• Latin in Britannia Parvus: Although English is the official language of Britannia Parvus, Latin is used frequently by the upper classes (most often in writing), as well as the Ecclesia Britanniae Parvi.

• Latin in Delta Green: Delta Green lacks an official language, but Latin, along with Hyperborean, is used as a linguistic bridge between its many ethnicities. It is the official "language of the law," thus the Codex Praxis and government documents are usually produced in Latin.

• Latin in the Drakonian Imperium is one of the many languages taught as part of the multi-lingual educational mandate, but also serves as one of the core languages commonly spoken by the Drakonian people. There are surprising similarities between Latin and the modern and ancient Drakonian languages, which is the source of much debate. Latin is also common in the Greater Drakonian community and is spoken in such nations as Baradossia, Terra Laga, and Australius.

• Latin in Itinerate Tree Dweller, is a religious language spoken by members of the Ninthian tribe who are traditionally descended from Roman settlers. Ninthian, a similar language, is a derivation of Latin and German, adopted from the ancient Ninthians who were made of Roman men who took German wives.

• Latin in Jey: Latin, English, and Jevian are all official languages of Jey. All three are taught to children in Jevian Elementary Education, Higher Education, and Graduate Education.

• Latin in Little India: Latin and English are the two languages used by the people of Little India. Latin is traditionally used only for official purposes, with all government documents, laws, and anything to do with the Sovereign House being written in Latin. English is used on a day-to-day basis. However, the Kingdom of Eleni is notable for not speaking any English at all, having chosen Latin as the lingua franca.

• Latin in Magistratia: Magistratians, like the Gnoshans in Subternosh, also primarily follow the teachings of the Magister and Scerio, thus making Latin a major influence on the land. Magistrism is, in fact, the state religion and thus the government has made Latin the official language of the land. The "vulgar Latin" found in Subternosh is not present at all in Magistratia except for a few persons in the capital Capitalia of Gnoshan descent.

• Latin in Nag Ehgoeg, Although English is the primary language of Nag Ehgoeg, much like in Britannia Parvus, Latin is used frequently by the upper classes (most often in writing). Latin mass is common place in both Catholic and Satanic ceremonies and for this reason it is the second most popular language. The Nagian dialect is often refered to as "High Gothic".

• Latin in New Imperial Mexico, is not commonly spoken. Latin is mostly spoken by the Catholic Church’s of New Imperial Mexico. Latin is one of three official languages. The other two are English and Spanish. French is only recognized for historic reasons and Semi-recognizes the Aramaic language (spoken by minorities of European and Arab decent, and is believed to be the language of Jesus).

• Latin in Palixia: One of Palixia's many languages, the old motto used to be in latin and translated to: Thus ever for the Allied States.

• Latin in Rome (RomeW), is still held as an official language of the Empire but in recent years the Roman Empire has also adopted English, primarily as a business language. Government documents are released in Latin and in English, but all the names of government institutions are listed in Latin.

• Latin in Saint Uriel, in its vulgate form (Vulgata) is the official language of The Holy Republic of Saint Uriel. All government documents are written in Latin and all Parlimentary debate is conducted in Latin. State university courses (with the exception of foreign language courses) are all instructed in Latin. Although many immigrants still use their native languages at home and work, all immigrants are required to demonstrate proficiency in vulgate Latin as a condition of naturalization.

• Latin in Sidestreamer: Under the influence of the powerful Catholic Church, in the unyielding efforts to coerce the public into adopting the faith, the government of Sidestreamer made Latin the official language for all government affairs, and all forms are written exclusively in that language. It is also Sidestream law that only Catholic priests or teachers assigned by Catholic priests can teach Latin. However, the overwhelming majority of the Sidestream population speaks English, with the exception of the citizens of the Isle of Jenova, who speak in Hebrew.

• Latin in Sozy, however not used commonly, and barely heard on the busy streets of Sozy. Latin is the Lingua Franca of many Sozian Universities. Being distinguished as a real educated language in Sozy compared to more regular languages, it is seen as highly important for any person of intelligence and wisdom to know it. Besides universities, in the higher healthcare sector, both local languages and Latin are used.

• Latin in Subternosh: Latin, along with English, Valerian, and Totic is the official language of Subternosh, and everyone is required to learn it regardless of ethnicity or county one grew up in. The Latin of Subternosh stems primarily from the writings of the Magister and Scerio, the two most influential authors of the gnostic religion of Magistrism. It's almost identical to Classical Latin except for syntax and few words. Some vocabulary seems to be from a different tradition of Latin that was previously lost, preserving the original form of the words. There is also a "vulgar Latin" that is commonly used nationwide; however, some linguists are calling in question the validity of calling the speech actually "Latin".

• Latin in The Great Sixth Reich: German, Polish, Latin, English, and Croatian are the offical languages of The Great Sixth Reich. All motor vehicle signs are available in German, Polish, and Latin. Latin is a language used in everyday conversion (especially to overcome language beariers), and is the language of choice of Reich Intelligence Agency agents while in foreign countries.

• Latin in The Latin Union: Latin, previously a dead tongue in the regions that became the Latin Union in 2004, was chosen as a "unifying tongue" by the new federal government to promote internal commerce and tranquility. Latin is the Union's primary official language. It is required to be taught in all schools from grade six onward, and is the only language all road signs, consumer products, and governmental documents are printed in. The Latin spoken in the Union is drawn from traditional Latin, with a much larger vocabulary. Words not found in traditional Latin have been "Latinized" from other Romance languages. For example, the word "bureau" is not found in traditional Latin, so its French root has been Latinized into "bureaus" and is used as a Latin word for all purposes of declination. In addition, though it is not an official grammar rule, almost all speakers of Latin in the Union follow the suit of most Romance languages in placing adjectives after the nouns they modify.

• Latin in The Meritocracy centers around its motto of the Meritocratic Senate, based much on the Roman model.

• Latin in Pax Romagna, is the official language for all government proceedings, particularly in the canonical and secular tribunals. It is mandatory instruction in all schools from the 7th through 12th grades, and in all four-year universities. English is used primarily for commerce and for communicating with heathen tourists.

• Latin in Sneltrekker, is one of three official languages along with English and Dutch. It is used by the Government for official documents. It is thaught to all children starting at the age of 6.

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