“Invia est in medicina via sine lingua Latina”

The article, "Latin as the language of medical terminology:
some remarks on its role and prospects" emphasizes on the concept that Latin is an integral part of the Doctoral jargon and form of communication internationally.Through Anatomical nomenclature, clinical terminology, pharmaceutical Latin (and partially phraseological collocations), those in the medical profession have continued to work knowledgeably, as well as proficiently to perform their duties, even with an "out-dated" language.

Despite the obvious retreat of Latin from the
medical terminology in the 20th century, professional communicative acts in the national languages have so far been realized with the use of international Latin-Greek terms. The terminology continuity in medicine has come into question due to the patients' inability to communicate with their doctor's on a "Latin" level, but the structure of the possible English medical terminology may prove itself to be useless without the proper knowledge of basic Latin.

The Latin anatomical nomenclature was first established thanks to the German anatomists  at a congress of the Anatomische Gesellschaft in Basle in 1895. The current nomination system of the time proved itself confusing, and a menace to scientific research itself. Therefore, because Latin had all the exceptional qualities of a nomenclature language, it was declared so from that day on.

Latin as a dead language ceases to develop and does not belong exclusively to any country or nation. Its use in terminology can be defined as global and “non-secular”, i.e. destined for the whole world and professional layers. This means that, out of the number of advantages that classical languages offer, it is constancy, international character, and neutrality (unlike national languages) that are accentuated.

As times have passed and changed, the distinct structure of Latin in medicine has become frayed by the hand of doctors, transforming the terms into more simplistic, abbreviated terms. The specific lexicon has been transformed in case, as well as mixed with various other languages, to produce hybrid languages of medicine. These modifications have caused considerable difficulties in introducing Latin professionally as well as in a teaching environment.

Perhaps this may be a reason the language is so scarcely spoken. It's been around so many years, that it's been altered and modified to the point where it's base is almost undefinable as a spoken. language, even to those in the medical profession (requiring high intelligence nonetheless)
Overall though, the article elaborates on how Latin, because it has been used in medical terminology as the standard for the last two millennium, has proved itself to be successful and irreplaceable (even by English), for  “Invia est in medicina via sine lingua Latina” (The way without Latin is impassable in medicine).

But what's more important to you, the patient. Would you adhere to the furthering of a vital language at the expense of knowing what in the world your doctor is talking about? Or would you care enough to take an interest in discovering the true meaning of their words?


Elena M., Frantisek S., Ladislav C. (2002) Latin as the language of medical terminology:
some remarks on its role and prospects. Swiss Medical Weekly, issue 132, pgs.581-587. Retrieved February 19, 2012, from http://www.smw.ch/docs/pdf200x/2002/41/smw-10027.pdf

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