Why Is Latin Considered a Dead Language?

Jodie Haifley, General Manager
Riverside Country Club, Lake Jackson, TX

(Taken from the July 2002 Riverside Country Club newsletter)

By now most of you have grown accustomed to my unusual wit and charm and at this very moment you�re saying:  �What in the world is Jodie talking about this time and how does the Latin language apply to club management?�  Well, bear with my following rhetoric and all of this should make sense.

For those of you who are not familiar with linguistics (the study of language), the Latin language was the basis for Western Christian communication during ancient Rome and into the Middle Ages.  Its birth is traced to the 6^th Century B.C. and was uniformly recognized as a dead language about the 5^th Century A.D.  There are many words in our language today that utilize the Latin influence. However, Latin is not commonly used in communication unless you are having a serious conversation with the Pope.  So therefore, Latin is dead language.

So what was the catalyst of this demise?  It�s quite simple.  The language became obsolete because the structure was very strict and made no allowances for change.  As European cultures became more secular they had the need for their language to change and Latin was too inflexible to accommodate their needs.

If we look at the English language we can prove that it is living because of its ever-changing nature.  The slang of yesterday is now the formal language of today. Remember back in the 60s when all those militant, longhaired people used to say, �Man, this is a hassle�?  If we listen carefully today we will hear our President use the word hassle in formal language. Our language changes to accommodate societal changes.

Now the moment you have all been waiting for, Jodie�s point of view!  Change is a difficult issue to deal with at times.  However, just like the passing of the Latin language, any established entity will pass also without the embracement of change.  As your manager and caretaker of your club I want to assure every member that I do not change things for the sake of change, but approach change as a facilitator for efficiency, fiscal health and diversity in member satisfaction.

This next month everyone will be seeing a change in our menu.  Some of our favorite items will go on the shelf as we make room for new and wonderful changes.  With these changes come friendlier prices, more variety and the ability of our kitchen staff to operate more efficiently, which will add to your service satisfaction.

As we continue to make changes, remember that being a member places you in the driver�s seat of change.  Also, just as things may change, they may also change back.