Tools: There's a word for that...

Latin terms that are actually tools: 21 April 2024

I wish I had learned Latin. It is especially succinct and, given the attention paid to rhetoric, useful in arguments and study of all other disciplines. Here are a few phrases that I find useful:

Ad Fontes: “Back to the sources” reminds us that we should never believe another’s interpretation of facts which we could examine for ourselves. The media today are poisoned by mis-information, as ideologues “spin.” Examples of quoting a politician out of context abound, or even “paraphrasing” to make it clear how wicked the statement was. Click bait is almost never ‘sourced’ and is usually untraceable. So Ad fontes. Please.

E.G. (Exempli gratia) Conveniently means ‘Example Given’ in English; a concise way to bolster your argument with an illustration.

I.E (Id Est) translates as ‘that is’ another great convenience in tight writing.

Sola Scriptura: ‘Scripture alone.’ Martin Luther’s maxim to refute unscriptural religious customs.

Op. Cit. (Opera citato): ‘Work cited already,’ in formal writing we declare our sources, either in foot or end notes. “Ibid” is similar, abreviating ‘ibidem,’ in the same place as last cited.

Et al (et alii or aliae): and others, not named. Like etcetera.

N.B. (Nota bene) ‘carefully notice this.’ It is essential when arguing counter to your professor to be precise in writing and quoting!

Cf (confer or conferatur): Compare with this...

So many more...