Colloquia (Skits for learning Latin)

In Renaissance times, students often memorized colloquia (dialogues, like skits) as a way to learn Latin. I have been reading the Colloquia of Erasmus and Corderius recently. Here I try my hand at a few modern versions: one between students (Corderius’ colloquia are all conversations between students) and three very simple versions of traditional fables.

O Me Miserum/Miseram! (O Poor Me!)

[note: male speakers should say “miserum” and “laetus;” female speakers “miseram” and “laeta”]

A: Salve, [nomen]! Ut vales?		A: Hello [name]! How are you doing?
B: Male valeo.		B: I’m not doing well.
A: Quid tibi sit?		A: What’s up with you?
B. Hoc me taedet. Nihil mihi est ad faciendum.		B: I’m bored. I have nothing to do.
A: Sed Hodie ‘Sursum Corda’ nobis est!		A: But today we have Sursum Corda!
B: En, vero-ne?		B: Woah, really?
A: Ita!		A: Yes!
B: Euge! Nunc laetus/laeta sum.		B: Woo-hoo! Now I am happy.

Testudo et Lepus (The Tortoise & the Hare)

Lepus: Lepus sum. Celer sum.		Hare: I am the hare. I am fast.
Testudo: Testudo sum. Tardus sum. Tenax autem sum.		Tortoise: I am the tortoise. I am slow. Persistent, though, I am.
L: Celerrimus sum!		H: I am sooo fast!
T: Ambulo. Ambulo. Ambulo.		T: I’m walking. I’m walking. I’m walking
L: O! Fessus sum. [yawns; falls asleep]		H: Oh! I’m tired.
T: Ambulo. Ambulo. Ambulo.		T: I’m walking. I’m walking. I’m walking
Lepus: [wakes up as tortoise wins] Eheu! Testudo vincit!		H: Oh no! The tortoise wins!

Printable pdf version: Testudo et Lepus

Vulpes et Uva (The Fox & the Grape)

Narrator: Olim erat vulpes.		Narrator: Once there was a fox
Vulpes: Vulpes sum.		Fox: I am a fox.
N: Vulpes uvam vult.		N: The fox wants a grape.
V: Esurio. Uvam volo.		F: I’m hungry. I want a grape.
N: Eheu! Uvae altae sunt. [fox tries to jump and reach grapes]		N: Oh no! The grapes are high.
V: Nolo uvam.		F: I don’t want a grape.

Printable pdf version: Vulpes et Uva

Puer Pastoris et Lupus (The Shepherd Boy & the Wolf)

	Puer: Fatigatus sum. Oves odiosae sunt.	Boy: I am bored/tired. Sheep are tiresome.
	Puer: Lupus! Lupus! Adiuvate me!	Boy: A Wolf! A Wolf! Help me!
	Populi: [panting from running in] Nullus lupus adest.	People: No wolf is here.
	Puer: Hahahae!	Boy: Ha Ha Ha
	[the next day] Puer: Lupus! Lupus! Adiuvate me!	Boy: A Wolf! A Wolf! Help me!
	Populi: [panting from running in] Nullus lupus adest.	People: No wolf is here.
	Lupus: Esurio. Hahahae!	Wolf: I’m hungry. Ha Ha Ha.