Minimus Question????

[LoveForLife]

So we started Minimus today, fun but a bit confussing. I don't have any Latin background. And for the life of me, I couldn't understand why some vowels had the line on top. I thought it perhaps meant to pronounce the vowel long, like we do, but it wasn't matching the sound when I listened to the CD (about ten times):mad:. And in the teacher's manual, there is not an explanation (from what I could see) as to why that line is above some vowels but not others. Can anyone explain this to me. Also, should I buy perhaps another Latin program, that would help me along with Minimus? Is there another program, maybe Latin For Children, that I should buy, does LFC explain things better for the teacher. I am doing it with 2 of my 3 boys, ages 9 and 7. Thanks for you help!!

Lorraine:confused:

[ArwenA]

I tried Minimus but had similar difficulties. We switched to LFC and LOVE it. I find it soooo much easier and DD thinks it's more fun that Minimus. I would strongly recommend getting it. The DVDs are really helpful and the History Readers are a BIG hit!:)

[nmoira]

The macrons do indicate long vowels, but they don't work the same way as English. Long vowels in Latin are extended short vowel sounds. I seem to recall a pronunciation guide in the front of the Minimus TM?

A
short a: often a as in cab (but more properly u as umbrella)
long a: ah like the a in father
E
short e: e as in pet
long e: a as in plane
I
short i: i as in sit
long : ee as in keel
O
short o: o as in octopus
long o: oh as in toe
U
short u: oo as in book
long u: oo as in food

[LoveForLife]

across any pronunciation guide. Do you suggest any other books/programs that could help me....

Lorraine:o