What do I need to participate?
- Device: A computer or phone or tablet with a high speed internet connection. If you have a choice, please use a computer. They are the easiest to troubleshoot and have the least issue connecting.
- Headphones: Without headphones, there will be an echo and it will be unpleasant or impossible for your interlocutors to chat!
- Microphone: Most of the time webcams have microphones built in, so if your laptop/tablet has a camera, there's probably also a mic. It will look like a tiny hole.
- Webcam: This is optional. It's really not important except that often mics are built into them. If we have more than a half dozen participants we will usually ask that these be turned off to conserve bandwidth.
Do I need to be a skilled speaker to participate?
Absolutely not! Part of the reason we hold these chats is to get new speakers involved! If you're new to speaking or not feeling confident, start by listening and you'll be astonished at how much you understand if you already translate or read Latin. If you've not joined us before, we'll probably ask you Quid est nomen tibi? Quomodo te habes? Ubi habitas? Esne magister/tra? so it may help to have an answer ready for those. You can check out the new Phrasebook tab for a little help with that. Also, when we're on video, don't be afraid to resort to gestures and pointing!
And, of course, feel free to indicate you just want to listen if that's what you're comfortable with by saying something like hodie auditor/auditrix sum. or telling us in either English or Latin in the chat window.
That said, try to stay in Latin, but if you're confused, you may use the chat window to ask for clarification etc in English.
Absolutely not! Part of the reason we hold these chats is to get new speakers involved! If you're new to speaking or not feeling confident, start by listening and you'll be astonished at how much you understand if you already translate or read Latin. If you've not joined us before, we'll probably ask you Quid est nomen tibi? Quomodo te habes? Ubi habitas? Esne magister/tra? so it may help to have an answer ready for those. You can check out the new Phrasebook tab for a little help with that. Also, when we're on video, don't be afraid to resort to gestures and pointing!
And, of course, feel free to indicate you just want to listen if that's what you're comfortable with by saying something like hodie auditor/auditrix sum. or telling us in either English or Latin in the chat window.
That said, try to stay in Latin, but if you're confused, you may use the chat window to ask for clarification etc in English.
Should I correct others?
Not unless they ask. Be respectful and don't correct unless you're actually confused about meaning or need a clarification for yourself.
Not unless they ask. Be respectful and don't correct unless you're actually confused about meaning or need a clarification for yourself.
Are these recorded?
For the privacy and comfort of all participants, these chats will never be recorded or in any way be available after the fact.
For the privacy and comfort of all participants, these chats will never be recorded or in any way be available after the fact.
