Being Hrabana: The scholarly research and writing of an early-medieval historian/historical theologian

Hrabana

Hrabana might seem strange and made-up word to designate research writing, but it's not just a word. Hrabana is my scholar alter-ego. She is Me. My "main guy" - medievally speaking - is Alcuin of York (+804), and Hrabanus was one of his more famous students. I consider myself a student of Alcuin, as well, if considerably less famous than dear Hrabanus. I intend to label my scholar blogs with Hrabana. I have been assuming Hrabana as persona for over five years in my research work. It helps me to get in the mood, as it were, for intimate scholarly pursuits.

Salve, amici.

Now that my Ph.D work and dissertation are behind me, I have returned to the study of Latin alongside my research and translation projects. There was a lot of translating in my dissertation, and I read and translate much better than I did two years ago, but I still have not conquered the task of being able to to JUST READ and JUST WRITE in Latin. This is my goal.

To be truly comfortable.

I have that in German and French, and I speak them well. I am pretty comfortable in texts with Italian and Spanish. Yes, my Latin is fine, but in comparison with comfort, I am just not where I want to be. So I have gone back to the beginning, using Adler's text and the aid of Evan Milner's Latinum materials.

In addition, one technique I have learned as both student and teacher of languages is aimed at the invaluble skill of writing. It is imperative to move the learned language from the left side of the brain to the right, and WRITING in it is the key to doing this. After that, the possibility of becoming a fluent speaker is attainable. I think, in the end, this is what I desire for Latin. To have speaking and thinking and writing and dreaming fluency.

Why? I just want it. I just do. So many of the texts I want to read and work with are in Latin, why not be able to "converse" with the author and with other people who like such texts?

I'd like to be able to breathe in Latin, rest in it.

While the days of my being able to go off to Latin groups or weekends is in the future because of my life and means, now is the time to begin to prepare. And whether or not I find a local Latin circle to connect with, beginning to write is Imperative.

So for a while, this blog will be the recipient of my Latin, such as it is. Just like I did for German and French and Italian and Spanish, both as student and teacher, I assign myself a daily journal requirement. It will no doubt be ridiculous at first, but hopefully after a few weeks will get better.
Valete, y'all!