The two prominent styles of Latin language that survive today is Ecclesiastical Latin and Classical Latin. In some cases you may even be able to make a case for Medieval Latin. In today’s post, we’ll see more varied versions of the Latin language that Latin linguists have categorized.

Prisca Latinitas or “Old Latin” , also known as “Archaic Latin”, refers to the Latin used before 75 BC. An example of Old Latin language is the Lapis Niger or the “Black Stone”. The differences between Old Latin and Classical Latin come down to differences in spelling. For example, Old Latin is characterized by the use of single consonants for double consonants. An example of this spelling is the name Marcelus, which was spelled Marcellus in Classical Latin.

“Classical Latin” was termed “Lingua Latina”  and “Sermo Familiaris” by the ancient Romans. Lingua Latina means “the Latin Language” and Sermo Familiaris means “Speech of the Good Families”, which implies that the ancient Romans considered this form of Latin to be the language of educated and noble families. An example of Classical Latin the prose written by Marcus Tullius Cicero, one of them being “De re republica” or “On the Republic”.

“Latinum vulgare” or Vulgar Latin is considered a form of colloquial Latin. It’s considered to be a form of Latin spoken by slaves or uneducated people. An example of this type of Latin can be seen in the works of Plautus. His plays show the contrast between the form of Latin used by slaves and those used by noblemen. Some linguists believe that the different forms of Vulgar Latin used in different parts of the Roman empire, led to the formation of what we call the Romance languages.

Medieval Latin was the form of Latin used in the Middle Ages. An example of a Medieval Latin author is St. Agustine of Hippo. Medieval Latin was influenced by the syntax of Vulgar Latin. As a result, sometimes Latin writers from different parts of Europe could not understand each other’s form of Latin. One of the differences between Medieval Latin and Classical Latin can be found in the spelling of words. For example, single consonants were doubled in Medieval Latin. A word like Africa, was spelled like Affrica in Medieval Latin.

Ecclesiastical Latin, also called Church Latin, is Latin that is primarily used for church purposes. Ecclesiastical Latin and Classical Latin are almost similar, except in pronunciation. There are striking similarities between Ecclesiastical Latin and the modern Italian language. The Church still uses Latin for official visits, mass and for seminary studies. This is really a prime example of how Latin cannot be called as of yet, a “dead” language.