I’m not certain what you meant when you referred to Latin as a “Frankenstein language” in your editorial on Feb. 5 (“We must keep dying languages alive”). A mad scientist did not cobble together the Latin language out of bits of other dead languages in a fit of hubris (though I’m sure that many a beginning Latin student has thought just that). Rather, Latin developed over several centuries into one of the finest languages the world has known, and for that reason it continues to be used today. Indeed, the community of people who speak and write in Latin is growing, and I and my colleagues add to it each semester. Nevertheless, I applaud your call for the preservation of all languages, and I wish to say that the Department of Classics and Letters is doing its part by offering Latin and ancient Greek at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels every semester. As for the fate of all endangered languages, the words of Cicero are most appropriate: dum anima est, spes est (“Where there is life, there is hope”).

Sincerely,

Samuel J. Huskey

Chair, Department of Classics & Letters