LEARNING ENGLISH VOCABULARY THROUGH LATIN PHRASES: A ROOT-BASED APPROACH

Abstract

This article addresses the use of Latin phrases in enriching English vocabulary. Latin phrases are still found in modern written English, especially in academic discourse, institutional mottos, public expressions, and also popular media. Because many of the vocabularies used in English rooted in Latin, learning those phrases Latin enable learners grasp English vocabulary on a morphological aspect. However, these are still rarely used as pedagogical resources in teaching English vocabulary and are more commonly found within philosophy, law, or classical studies. This study explores Latin expressions as a root-based pedagogy by examining how selected Latin phrases may enrich English vocabulary learning through latin roots, lexical derivation, and semantic continuity. Applying a qualitative model with a root-based approach, the study analyzes several well-known Latin expressions such as Cogito ergo sum, In vino veritas, Qui bene cantat bis orat, Mens sana in corpore sano, tempus fugit and Vita brevis, ars longa. The analysis focuses on productive Latin roots that continue shaping modern English vocabulary across semantic fields such as philosophy, psychology, rhetoric, medicine, communication, and academic discourse. These results show that a single Latin root can produce large English lexical fields without abandoning any continuity with the original meaning. The study further reveals that understanding Latin roots may strengthen learners’ morphological awareness, inferential vocabulary learning, and understanding of academic vocabulary. Thus, Latin expressions are conducive not only to cultural or intellectual quotations but also to an academic tool for teaching English vocabulary.