The Linguist

FEATURES Chartered Institute of Linguists WINTER 2024 The Linguist 27 literature and other forms of creative expression to come out of classical antiquity were unsurpassed by any other age. This contributed to a worrying tradition of idealising and romanticising classical civilisations, which was eventually appropriated for nationalist purposes. The Third Reich used Tacitus' Germania, a history of the Germanic tribes in the 1st century CE, to legitimise their belief in a German fatherland. The Classics have been present throughout Germany's cultural and social history. Studying them in tandem with German has allowed me greater insight into the modern language, as well as the colossal footprint that an ancient civilisation has left on our contemporary world. Mixing it up There is also a distinct advantage in studying two subjects which are different from each other in many ways. The headache of poring over the specifics of grammar in poetic Latin can often be relieved by a bit of relaxed practice in conversational German. While German is an important language for European business and commerce, equipping students for the modern world, Latin and Greek assist in forming a foundational knowledge of the principles of grammar and syntax. This helps me to develop my writing style and an understanding of how languages work in general, which, as language learners know, can only aid the process of learning more languages down the line. Moreover, studying history forces you to utilise analytic thinking, evaluate historical sources and pay attention to voices of the past which are too often suppressed. In an age which seems to be more and more divisive, this is a skill that cannot be underestimated. However, studying such a degree is not without its challenges. Despite the two subjects being weighted equally within the joint honours structure, it can sometimes feel as if one is taking up more time than the other, and that trips to the library are an endless cycle of annotation and grammar exercises. There are few fellow students who study my specific combination, which makes finding peers who understand the ins and outs of the degree feel slightly like a wild goose chase. Class sizes are small – typical to the Oxford tutorial system. Though this allows for in-depth, thorough discussion, which facilitates a wide-reaching understanding of each topic, it means there is nowhere to hide if I'm feeling under-prepared for a session. From the Aeneid to sunbeds Overall, the fascinating areas available for study are infinite. One day I might be examining the use of similes in the Aeneid – an epic poem by the Roman author Vergil – and studying an idiomatic word specific not only to ancient Greece (when the poem was set) but also to 1st century BCE Rome (when it was composed). The next day I might be learning about gender politics in the provincial Germany of the 1800s and how this has echoed through to contemporary society. Of course, the topics aren't always so heavy: during one of my German translation classes, my group spent a good 20 minutes discussing the 'politics' of German and British holidaymakers reserving sunbeds by the pool. And there is no shortage of society events to get involved with. My university benefits from a very active German Society, which runs a Kaffee und Kuchen morning and a popular Oktoberfest night. The Classics faculty, meanwhile, holds regular guest lectures on a range of topics. A particular favourite of mine was 'Flatulence in the Ancient World'. So while other degrees may have bigger cohorts and more straightforward career paths, I am happy to traverse the lesser travelled route in the knowledge that there will always be likeminded people out there, and that my two subjects allow me to experience the past, present and future of the modern and ancient worlds. Joint honours students are in a strong position when it comes to future prospects, as the ability to switch between two subjects and the skills they provide are sought after by employers. On top of this, knowing multiple languages can give you a headstart when it comes to working overseas. If you're a prospective applicant for a language degree and the idea of studying something a bit different appeals to you, there are plenty of options. At Oxford, students can combine the Classics with Asian and Middle Eastern studies (e.g. Classics and Aramaic). Most modern languages can be combined with History, English or Classics, provided the candidate has the language to A-level standard. At Edinburgh, the languages on offer for similar combinations range from French to Norwegian, and you can even study one of these in tandem with History of Art or Social Policy. Unusual study partners MAKING HISTORY (Top to bottom) A bust of Homer in the British Museum; University College, Oxford; and an undergraduate studies in a university library © PEXELS ANDREW SHIVA / WIKIPEDIA CC BY-SA 4.0

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