A Degree in English. "Latin is a beautiful language and a relief from the incessant novelty and informality of the modern age. But when it's used on diplomas, the effect is to obfuscate, not edify; its function is to overawe, not delight. The goal of education is the creation and transmission of knowledge — not the creation and transmission of prestige. Why, then, celebrate that education with a document that prizes grandiosity over communication?"
I can't disagree.
I was one of the last who had to take two years of Latin in my school. It has served me well. However, having both my high-school and college diplomas in Latin caused me problems at the Division of Motor Vehicles. Yes, at the DMV.
When identity verification became key, I was forced to bring various proofs of identity before I was permitted to renew my driver's license. There was a point system established, and you had to achieve a certain point total. It wasn't easy. One of the listed options (one point) was an original high-school or college diploma. I had both.
When I arrived, however, they were rejected because they were both in Latin. They were not impressed with my ability to provide them a translation. Fortunately I was able to scramble in my wallet for a library card, insurance card, or something else.
What the author really needs, however, is a Latin spell-checker. I think he made a typo in the Latin in the article as well.
Once, the hardened leader of the local SWAT team asked me for a Latin version of his team's credo, “The strength of the wolf is in the pack, the strength of the pack is in the wolf.†I told him: “Robur gregi in lupo, robur lupo in grege.â€
I believe it should be †… robur lupi … .†And the two phrases are transposed in the translation.
Such is the cost of a misspent youth.
I dunno - seems to me the main purpose of the diploma is to impress people, so why not make it as impressive as possible?
(Some employers may wish to see evidence that a job seeker actually has the purported degree - I'd argue that a paper diploma is not the best evidence. If you are capable of lying about a degree, you may well be capable of forging a diploma.)
In academia, we require sealed transcripts sent directly from the candidate's alma mater(s) to avoid forged diplomas.
Emmett
Since much of institutionalized education is aimed at getting a credential—as opposed to simply learning—then obfuscation seems appropriate. Why Latin? Tradition. Humans like some traditions with irrational fervor. For example, when most English-speaking people see New Testament passages, they expect them to be written in archaic English. King "Jimmy" James did western civilization a great favor by commissioning a very nice English translation of the Bible from... Latin. Hm. I seem to be thinking in circles. How about this: Let's print diplomas in Old English and bibles in Latin. No one would understand either and nothing would change. Only those truly interested in learning would bother to figure things out. 😉