Does the Study of Latin Affect Spelling Proficiency?
Explores Latin study as a possible route to superior spelling proficiency. The spelling ability of 2 groups (15 Subjects each) of academically able 11th graders (students of Latin and students of other 2nd languages) was compared. The Latin students were superior in general spelling ability and were particularly proficient at spelling words of Latin origin. Analysis of the spelling of derivatives for which knowledge of Latin could either facilitate or mislead the speller shows that Latin students were differentially affected by the 2 types of derivatives. In contrast, students of other languages, lacking the knowledge of Latin derivatives, made more errors on both types of words. Thus, it appears that Latin study does have an effect on spelling performance.
