Conversational Latin Seminar in Lexington for 2013
July 17-24

English // Latin

Conventiculum Latinum, Annual Workshop for Spoken Latin to be held In Lexington at the University of Kentucky from 17–24 July 2013.

These summer workshops have become internationally known for providing a stimulating occasion in which participants can live for an extended period of time in an all-Latin environment, speaking and hearing no language but Latin.  Our Latin workshops are exclusively designed for those who want to acclimatize themselves to the active use of Latin.  Not surprisingly, many participants will find that that cultivating the active use of Latin in both speaking and writing helps their reading fluency.

Our conventicula are NOT designed for people who are still learning essential Latin grammar.  All participants should be able to read Latin, and feel reasonably secure in their knowledge of basic morphology and syntax.  However, previous experience in speaking Latin is not necessary. The purpose of our seminars is to add an active dimension to the experience of those who already possess a certain passive knowledge of Latin. These seminars should be especially valuable for any cultivator of the Latin language , who wishes to gain some ability to express her or himself ex-tempore in correct Latin on a wide range of subjects.  Not only teachers, who wish to develop their ability use Latin actively and extempore in the classroom to enliven the learning experience for students, and to augment whatever teaching methods they prefer to use, but anyone at all devoted to Latin, such as professors, graduate students, and those who read Latin for personal enrichment, can benefit from our seminars, which are exclusively aimed at helping those who take part to acquire a more instinctive command of the Latin language.  With such a command of Latin a person can understand Latin writings more directly and easily, without being compelled so often to translate and to think in another language.   

Sessions will be aimed exclusively at developing ability in speaking Latin, understanding others speaking Latin, reading and explaining Latin texts in Latin, and in writing in Latin.  Participants will be involved in intensive activity each day from morning until early evening (with breaks for lunch, etc., of course).  Themes for discussion will involve books and literature, but discussions will also be devoted to questions pertaining to every-day life.

We also invite participants who are already experienced in the active use of Latin.  It is our intention that the conventiculum will provide such participants with a pleasant opportunity to practice their skills in spoken and written Latin, and meet like-minded others.

ENTRY FEE AND APPLICATION DEADLINE

The entry fee for the event in 2013 is 100 dollars.  In addition each participant will pay $140 in advance to cover the cost of three meals each day, with the exception of two dinners.  In other words, the $140 meals fee will cover buffet-style breakfast and lunch each day (i.e. for 7 days) in Blazer Café on the university campus, as well as five dinners in the same residence. The two remaining dinners not covered by the $140 meals fee can be sought by each participant as s/he finds most convenient.

Please note that the entry fee and the meals fee, once paid, are non refundable.  This, unfortunately, is an administrative necessity.

The deadline for receipt of entry fee and the meals fee is 1 April, 2013, but we strongly urge those intending to take part to register much earlier than the deadline, since places in these events usually fill up well before April.  In 2013 we will be able to accept no more than 65 applicants.

LODGING

There are of course quite a few hotels in Lexington where one can find comfortable and reasonable lodging.  However, we recommend that participants in the conventiculum stay in student housing, which is not only very close to the site of our sessions, but also offers rooms at very low cost.  One may stay in a private room in Patterson Hall for only 27 dollars per night.  In the student housing, however, there are not private bathrooms, but large bathroom areas on each floor. 

Please note that this price was quoted to us in the summer of 2012, and it is possible that the curators of student housing might make small changes in their prices without giving us notice. 

Payment for lodging will not be made in advance, nor to the moderators of the conventiculum, but directly to the administrators of the student residence at the end of the seminar.

PARKING

Participants who plan to come to the conventiculum in their own cars and want to park their cars on the University campus will need to buy a parking permit.  They will receive a ticket to be displayed in their vehicles, which will give them the right to use the University parking lots for the whole week of the seminar. To purchase a parking permit, please phone the Department of Parking and Transportation at:

859 257 9680

Anyone arriving in Lexington can go to the parking office to buy a permit in person.  The office is open on normal business days until 4:00 p.m.  Here is the address:

Parking & Transportation Services, 721 Press Avenue , Lexington 40508-0571

THE FIRST DAY OF THE CONVENTICULUM

On the first day (17 July) there will be no regular sessions, but there will be a general reception with food and drink which will take place from 6:00 p.m.  to about 9:00 or 10:00 p.m, which we strongly urge all participants to attend.  In this initial reception not only Latin, but English or any other language may be used.  After the reception, the use of vernacular languages will cease, and Latin will be the only language used in the conventiculum.  Participants therefore should try to arrive in Lexington before 4:00 p.m. on the first day so they can get installed in their lodgings and find the site of the sessions before the reception actually begins.

Those interested in participating in this event should contact Prof.  Terence Tunberg at the following e-mail address: terence.tunberg@gmail.com.