If it’s not spoken in any country… Is Latin a dead language?

Today, we’ll talk about one of the most important languages in human history: Latin.

For many linguists, Latin remains a language full of vitality, as it is still partially used in various contexts. On the other hand, some argue that Latin should be classified as a dead language, a practical relic of the past.

So, who’s right? Should we declare Latin dead and hold a funeral for it? Or, on the contrary, should we recognize its value and continue learning it, given its significance in law, science, and linguistics?

Solving this debate is crucial, especially for the many students struggling to learn Latin in schools and universities today. While we won’t be changing the global education system anytime soon, we will conduct a health check-up on Latin to assess whether it is truly alive or dead.

Quae sit vita vel obitus Latini recognoscamus.

(Let’s examine the life or death of Latin.)

What is a dead language? Does the language shows any signs of life?

When a patient arrives at an emergency room, the first thing doctors check is whether they are alive. This is fundamental. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do with Latin—check its vital signs.

But before we begin, we need to define what makes a language “alive” or “dead” in linguistic terms.

By the most commonly accepted definition, a dead language is one that no longer has native speakers. Another way to define a dead language is one that no one uses as their sole means of communication in everyday life.

Examples of dead languages include Sanskrit, Aramaic, and Mozarabic. But does Latin fit into this category? Let’s take a closer look.

Is Latin an official language anywhere in the world?

Much like a heartbeat monitor detecting a faint pulse, Latin has a small but undeniable presence that keeps it from being entirely “dead”. And the source of that pulse is none other than the Catholic Church—a faith shared by nearly 1.4 billion people worldwide.

You may be wondering: 

What does religion have to do with Latin’s survival?

The answer is simple: Latin is not an official language in any country—except for Vatican City.

The Vatican is a tiny country, barely a few square kilometers in size, entirely surrounded by Rome, Italy. In fact, there are neighborhoods in your own country larger than the Vatican.

However, unlike those neighborhoods, the Vatican has global influence, with nearly 3,000 archdioceses spread across five continents. This means that Latin is officially recognized in over 150 countries through the Catholic Church’s diplomatic presence.

Latin: The official language of the Pope

The hierarchical structure of Catholicism is a complex topic—one that would take too long to explain here. However, what matters for our discussion is that the Pope, the highest authority of Catholicism, communicates in Latin with his subordinates.

As a sovereign state, the Vatican operates like any other country, with its own laws, government, and official documents. And here’s the key point: the Vatican’s official language is Latin. It is used for:

• Official documents
• Proclamations
• Certificates
• Legal and theological writings

The fact that Latin remains the official language of at least one country gives it a strong argument for being considered alive. After all, many widely spoken languages do not hold official status anywhere—such as Welsh or Bavarian, which are limited to specific regions.

But beyond its role in religion and diplomacy, Latin also has secular and scientific significance. Some experts even argue that Latin is the most universal language on the planet.

And here’s where things get really interesting—there are some surprising facts about Latin that might just leave you speechless! 

Latin and Law: Two inseparable brothers

If you are a lawyer or have had any contact with the legal world, you’ll instantly recognize what we’re about to discuss. Latin is the most widely used language among lawyers worldwide, and for good reason.

In fact, if you’ve ever used terms like habeas corpus, ad honorem, or ipso facto, then—guess what?—you’ve been speaking Latin!

But why does the legal profession rely so heavily on Latin?

The answer lies in Roman Law, considered by many to be the foundation of legal systems across the globe.

The Roman Empire and the legal system that still governs the world

The Roman Empire established a legal system that, according to many legal historians, was almost perfect. The advancements in law made by the Romans were so profound that they are still fully applicable today. In fact, Roman legal principles form the foundation of the laws governing over half the world.

The Romans developed laws in key areas such as criminal law, property rights, and commerce, with remarkable clarity and logic. As a result, in courts and law schools worldwide, Latin remains the standard language for expressing many legal terms.

Let’s explore some of the most commonly used Latin phrases in law today.

Common phrases in law

As we’ve mentioned, law students around the world spend long hours memorizing Latin terms. Mastering these phrases is essential for passing exams in nearly every law school.

Here are some of the most important Latin expressions that every lawyer must know:

Habeas corpus 

“That you may have the body.” A legal protection against arbitrary detention.

In dubio pro reo 

“When in doubt, in favor of the accused.” A fundamental principle in criminal law.

Lex superior derogat legi inferiori

“A higher law overrides a lower law.”

Pacta sunt servanda 

“Agreements must be honored.” Essential in contract law.

Res judicata 

“A matter already judged.” A final ruling that cannot be appealed.

Nullum crimen, nulla poena sine lege

“No crime, no punishment without law.”

Dura lex, sed lex 

“The law is harsh, but it is the law.”

Exceptio veritatis

“Exception of truth.” A legal defense in defamation cases.

Non bis in idem 

“Not twice for the same.” Prohibition against double jeopardy.

Animus nocendi 

“Intention to harm.” A crucial concept in criminal law.

Ius cogens 

“Compelling law.” Mandatory norms in international law.

Lex talionis 

“The law of retaliation.” A principle of punishment equal to the crime.

Culpa in eligendo 

“Liability for a poor choice.” Legal responsibility for bad decisions.

Facta concludentia 

“Conclusive facts.” Acts that imply intent without words.

Fumus boni iuris 

“Appearance of a good right.” An indication of legal validity.

Forum domicilii 

“Court of domicile.” Jurisdiction based on residence.

Inter vivos 

“Between the living.” Legal acts between living persons.

Iura novit curia 

“The court knows the law.” A principle of judicial discretion.

Lex specialis derogat legi generali 

“A specific law overrides a general law.”

Nec vi, nec clam, nec precario 

“Not by force, nor in secrecy, nor precariously.” The basis of legal possession.

Nemo plus iuris ad alium transferre potest quam ipse habet 

“No one can transfer more rights than they possess.”

Periculum in mora 

“Danger in delay.” Justification for urgent legal measures.

Quod non est in actis, non est in mundo 

“What is not in the records does not exist in the world.” Emphasizing the importance of written evidence.

Vigilantibus non dormientibus iura succurrunt 

“The law helps those who are vigilant, not those who sleep.”

Latin is not just a legal language; its influence extends to many other areas of daily life. Stay tuned as we explore other surprising fields where Latin continues to thrive—you’ll be amazed at how much this ancient language is still alive today!

Latin as the international language of science

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Tibetan scientist or a professor at a London university—you’ll use Latin as a common language. But no, this doesn’t mean that scientists communicate in Latin as if it were some kind of secret code. It goes deeper than that—it refers to the use of Latin in scientific nomenclature and foundational terminology.

Let’s clarify this concept. Scientists don’t have a mysterious, exclusive language that only they understand. A scientist from Oregon will speak English, while one from El Salvador will speak Spanish. However, when it comes to universality, Latin serves as the common ground.

For instance, when a biologist discovers a new species of moss or ant, they must classify it using Latin-based terminology. That’s why you’ve probably noticed that all scientific names for plants and animals are in Latin.

But why is this the case? Isn’t it unnecessarily complicated? Not at all—let’s explore why.

The tradition and universality of Latin in science

At first glance, using such an “ancient” language may seem outdated. However, Latin’s role in science is anything but obsolete. The key reason behind its use is universality.

Until very recently, scientific discoveries struggled to cross borders. Language barriers often led to misinterpretations or loss of crucial details during translation. To prevent this, scholars around the world decided to standardize Latin as the official language of science.

By adopting Latin, scientific committees ensured that knowledge remained accessible to all—without being monopolized by imperial powers like Napoleon’s France or the British Empire. In other words, Latin became a neutral linguistic bridge that guaranteed equal access to scientific knowledge worldwide.

We’ve seen how Latin is deeply embedded in both law and science. But where else does Latin serve as a foundational language? Let’s look at some fascinating examples.

The poetic use of Latin

In a recent blog post, we discussed the Romance languages and their impact on billions of people today. The fact that you’re reading this text in Spanish, French, or Italian is clear evidence of Latin’s enduring influence.

Even if you speak English or German, your language contains a significant number of Latin-derived words. We covered this in detail in our previous article—be sure to check it out! But for now, let’s briefly explore how Latin spread across the world.

The Roman Empire created an extensive sphere of influence that covered most of present-day Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Centuries later, European colonial empires expanded to the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, and Oceania. In short… Latin’s influence reached the entire planet!

But what does this have to do with the arts? Let’s find out.

Literature, the arts, and… the Church?

Yes, we know—you’re probably thinking:

“What does the Church have to do with the arts? Aren’t they enemies?”

Not quite. The liberal arts and religious conservatism haven’t always been at odds. In fact, for centuries—including the present day—the Catholic Church has been one of the biggest patrons of the arts.

Through its influence in the New World, the Church played a key role in spreading art to every corner of the globe. Missionaries and priests didn’t just bring religion—they also brought culture, literature, and artistic expression. And throughout this process, Latin remained a crucial vehicle of communication.

That’s why the arts have inherited numerous Latin expressions as part of poetic language. Words like opus, allegro, fortissimo have Latin origins.

Poets throughout history have incorporated Latin phrases and proverbs into their works as powerful literary devices.

Have you ever heard the phrase “Ars longa, vita brevis”?

It means “Art is eternal, but life is short”—another timeless legacy of Latin.

Should you learn Latin?

This is a complex question with no easy answer. Latin is still a mandatory subject in many schools and universities worldwide. However, students don’t learn to speak Latin fluently—instead, they are introduced to its foundations and structure.

So, should you take a Latin course and learn to speak it?

On the one hand, Latin knowledge is never useless. On the other hand, Latin is not a practical spoken language in modern society. No country uses it as an official language, making it a purely academic pursuit.

That said, learning basic Latin expressions is now easier than ever.

Latin in the digital age: Just a click away

Fortunately, you don’t need to enroll in a Latin class to use essential Latin phrases. Thanks to modern technology, you can now translate Latin words instantly—without carrying around heavy dictionaries or consulting a local druid!

With Talkao translation apps like Talkao Translate or the camera translator, you can translate Latin into over 100 languages in seconds. Available for Android and iOS, these tools help you apply Latin to your studies, research, or personal interests.

Vivat decor Latinorum! (Long live the beauty of Latin!)

Published Mon, 17 February 2025