LATIN APHORISMS AS A COMPONENT OF SOCIO-CULTURAL TRAINING OF MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

The article summarizes the experience of learning Latin aphorisms, quotes, sayings and proverbs at Latin lessons by medical students, and represents their samples, and their corresponding national equivalents in English and Ukrainian.

Nowadays, it is difficult to name the branch of human activity where Latin phrases would not sound. Latin as a unifying link between antiquity and modern European culture promotes the formation of “homo moralis” (pure morality).

Latin aphorisms absorbed the most valuable experience gained from the knowledge of man, natural phenomena, customs of the people, cultural life or history. They develop the intellectual level of the person, his/her outlook and give the opportunity to distinguish good from evil, unmistakably feel the truth and falsehood.

Many biblical sayings (the Bible was translated into Latin in the IV century AD) are used in modern Ukrainian, English, French, Russian and other European languages.

Wise and concise Latin proverbs (which express the precepts for descendants about interpersonal relationships), apt and witty aphorisms have taken the place of honor in the international multilingual phraseological foundation. This is certainly due to the great historical importance of Latin in the development of European civilization, science, culture, and education.

In Latin lessons, we encourage medical students to study aphorisms on a variety of topics, including those that promote healthy lifestyles and condemn habits adversely affecting human health, such as alcohol abuse. The efficient implementation of Latin aphorisms as a component of socio-cultural training in medical schools provides the highest quality of the educational process.