Roman Legionary speaks Latin to New Yorkers - watch their reaction! 😳 ⚔️ · Legionarius ·

Having arrived in Times Square via time machine, Legionary Dec. Helvidius Rufus challenges New Yorkers to understand the Latin language. Dr. Theophilus Vormelker, who accidentally brought Rufus to the future, has taught Rufus some English, which comes in handy as Rufus tests the comprehensibility of the Latin language with the local population.
See the other installments of the LEGIONARIVS series here:
• Legionarius
#Latin #Legionary #newyork
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00:00 Intro to NYC
1:20 First contestant: Nadine
3:22 Second contestant: Josh
9:23 Third contestant: Nick
13:20 Fourth contestant: Hannah
16:53 Fifth contentant: Ilena
19:50 Sixth contestant: Giuseppe
22:18 Seventh contestant: Conor
22:51 Rufus' General Impressions
23:42 Eighth contestant: Anas quaedam
24:14 SPQR...
25:44 Conclusion
26:16 Outtakes
NOTES ON THE ANCIENT ROMAN ACCENT
This was an especially fun thing to imagine and put into practice. Many have often asked what an Ancient Roman accent would sound like English. The accent I gave Rufus was a combination of a few ideas:
Italian:
The foundation is essentially a highly stereotypical Italian accent. This includes some intonational characteristics, or how I say “okay,” and a few other factors. Indeed, when I speak Latin, I try to employ Italian-like intonation and oral posture - but it’s important to say that I fall well short of my intended goal in my actual production of spoken Latin, especially in an uncontrolled environment like the streets of New York.
Classical Latin phonology:
I reverted the Italian base to Classical Latin wherever in made sense: v is /w/, final /i/ /o/ /u/ are frequently lengthened, s is retracted [s̠], and th is [tʰ], for example “very nice to meet you” [ˈwɛ.riː na͡e̯s̠ tuː miːt juː] or “thanks I do to you” (calqued from Latin grātiās tibi agō) [tʰɛːŋks̠ a͡e̯ duː tuː juː], as if they were written phonetically in Classical Latin orthography “verī naes tū mīt jū,” “thēnx ae dū tū jū.” Latin also permits final consonants -s, -n, -t, -nt, unlike Italian (where there is an audible schwa vowel following in stereotypical Italian accents), but not final -m, hence “I am strong” (valeō) [a͡e̯ ã strɔn] or [a͡e̯ ẽ strɔn].
Latin idiom and syntax:
Rufus tends not to use articles in English, as articles are not part of the Latin language. I also calqued many Latin idioms into English, such as “thanks I do to you” from grātiās tibi agō, “what is name to you?” quid est tibi nōmen?, “beautifully!” pulchrē!, “the most beautifully!” pulcherrimē!, “optimally!” optimē!, “minimally” minimē; or randomly inserting Latin grammar into the English, such as the dative case in “to the dominae.” I also attempted to spontaneously not “know” how to say things in English, trying my best to imagine the challenges that a native Latin speaker would undergo.
The result is an accent that sounds like a strange mix of Italian (the intonation), Slavic (inconsistent use of articles), Spanish (not as many schwas after final consonants), and Greek (retracted s).
Over the course of the day before we went to New York to film, I spent a few hours speaking this way, practicing the accent with my wonderful fiancée - who did such an amazing job recording this whole video - and she generously laughed at each one of my silly jokes or weird ways of speaking. If I had spent more time practicing the accent, I bet it would have been a lot more consistent and a much more “authentic” representation of how Ancient Romans might have sounded in Modern English. But I’m happy with the result, and it’s great that so many of you have found it entertaining as well.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Salvī sītis! We are very pleased with the positive response to this video. Here are some pieces of information you may find interesting. THE STORY OF RUFUS & THEOPHILUS This video is not intended to be the true continuation of the “Interview with the Legionary” series on this channel. Part 3 of that series showed Rufus accidentally activating the time machine and arriving in New York City. Part 4 (yet to be made) will deal with Rufus’ initial disorientation and finding Theophilus, who was also transported back to the present day. The above video takes place a good amount of time after Part 4, once Rufus knows enough English to make it through these interviews. THE ANCIENT ROMAN ACCENT This was an especially fun thing to imagine and put into practice. Many have often asked what an Ancient Roman accent would sound like English. The accent I gave Rufus was a combination of a few ideas: Italian: The foundation is essentially a highly stereotypical Italian accent. This includes some intonational characteristics, or how I say “okay,” and a few other factors. Indeed, when I speak Latin, I try to employ Italian-like intonation and oral posture - but it’s important to say that I fall well short of my intended goal in my actual production of spoken Latin, especially in an uncontrolled environment like the streets of New York. Classical Latin phonology: I reverted the Italian base to Classical Latin wherever in made sense: v is /w/, final /i/ /o/ /u/ are frequently lengthened, s is retracted [s̠], and th is [tʰ], for example “very nice to meet you” [ˈwɛ.riː na͡e̯s̠ tuː miːt juː] or “thanks I do to you” (calqued from Latin grātiās tibi agō) [tʰɛːŋks̠ a͡e̯ duː tuː juː], as if they were written phonetically in Classical Latin orthography “verī naes tū mīt jū,” “thēnx ae dū tū jū.” Latin also permits final consonants -s, -n, -t, -nt, unlike Italian (where there is an audible schwa vowel following in stereotypical Italian accents), but not final -m, hence “I am strong” (valeō) [a͡e̯ ã strɔn] or [a͡e̯ ẽ strɔn]. Latin idiom and syntax: Rufus tends not to use articles in English, as articles are not part of the Latin language. I also calqued many Latin idioms into English, such as “thanks I do to you” from grātiās tibi agō, “what is name to you?” quid est tibi nōmen?, “beautifully!” pulchrē!, “the most beautifully!” pulcherrimē!, “optimally!” optimē!, “minimally” minimē; or randomly inserting Latin grammar into the English, such as the dative case in “to the dominae.” I also attempted to spontaneously not “know” how to say things in English, trying my best to imagine the challenges that a native Latin speaker would undergo. The result is an accent that sounds like a strange mix of Italian (the intonation), Slavic (inconsistent use of articles), Spanish (not as many schwas after final consonants), and Greek (retracted s). Over the course of the day before we went to New York to film, I spent a few hours speaking this way, practicing the accent with my wonderful fiancée - who did such an amazing job recording this whole video - and she generously laughed at each one of my silly jokes or weird ways of speaking. If I had spent more time practicing the accent, I bet it would have been a lot more consistent and a much more “authentic” representation of how Ancient Romans might have sounded in Modern English. But I’m happy with the result, and it’s great that so many of you have found it entertaining as well. THE PARTICIPANTS The participants were all very affable people and it was great to meet them. I did not break character at any time, so I assume they thought I was Italian (as I kept insisting I was from Rome); my fiancée behind the camera actually is from Rome, however, and she and I only speak to each other in Italian, so if anyone overheard us talking (and didn’t know Italian well enough to hear my American accent), they might just assume I was Italian too. We gave each participant a little card with the KZbin channel name so they could find this video - hopefully they do; we recorded back in August, so that was a while ago. But if any of them come across the video and this post, they should know they have our deepest thanks.

[@martincatoniryan1638]

impressive!

[@premodernist_history]

So presumably he was living with Theophilus between Part 4 and this video? I want to watch that sitcom!

[@DesignerShark44]

The best

[@DesignerShark44]

Honestly the amount of passion and dedication you put into these videos is inspiring. Are you going to make a video on Rufus reaction to rome being gone, at least when he finally realizes that?

[@binabina4445]

@@DesignerShark44 And a reaction to modern Italy and italians would be amazing

[@servantofaeie1569]

Not only are you reviving a 2000 year old language, but you made a foreign accent for your own native tongue based on the limitations of its phononogy? Dude you are awesome!

[@valerietaylor9615]

Recte!

[@StanFortonski]

Even older 💪

[@Horace__63]

*3000

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha you're very kind. I had a lot of fun making up this accent. See the pinned comment above where I explain a bit about what I was trying to do.

[@Jguthro]

They still taught latin in public high school in the 90s.

[@eriathdien]

Speaking fluent Latin is amazing, speaking English with a Latin accent, godlike!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Hahaha. I was just having a bit of fun; I’m delighted if you liked the video.

[@thealexfiles303]

​@@ScorpioMartianusI think we all absolutely loved it. Well done. I personally loved the grammar adjustment to fit with the accent more than anything.

[@GrantCelley]

@@ScorpioMartianus new video ideo on the English channel. How I used latin to create an English dialect.

[@catholic3dod790]

​@@ScorpioMartianus Hi, Where did you learn Latin? Thanks

[@ScorpioMartianus]

@@catholic3dod790 With the Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata books

[@norielgames4765]

"Naturally the time machine brought us to Times Square" 😂😂😂😂 loved that part

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Hahah I just ad-libbed that. I’m happy it has been well received.

[@kalinystazvoruna8702]

That's not Times Square. That's somewhere in Central Park area.

[@ValQuinn]

As a Celtic language geek, I loved that you translated New York as Novum Eboracum, with Evor (meaning yew tree) being the Celtic name for York at the time the Romans invaded Britain.

[@joostdriesens3984]

What's with all these weird names?? It's Nieuw Amsterdam, everyone knows that! Greetings from the Netherlands. 😅

[@Pumbli]

@@joostdriesens3984 Exactly, I can't believe they'd misname Nýja Jórvík like that. Greetings from Iceland!

[@xitheris1758]

Pre-roman Celts called the town Eburākon, meaning "yew tree place" from the word _ebura_ (meaning yew tree) and -ākon (a proprietive suffix). Once the town had a significant Roman population, it was granted "colonial city" status and officially named Eboracum, a Latinization of the native name. The Romans typically renamed places in this manner.

[@ValQuinn]

Indeed! I just left off the suffix because that part doesn't mean yew tree but you're more correct. The b/v pronunciation is uncertain, Romans would have glossed a v as a b because they lacked that phoneme. Part of the trouble with researching Ancient Celts is the so-to-speak 'interpretatio Romanum' effect whereby Roman writers altered other cultures even as they provide they only source of information on them. As a sideline though, your point got me thinking: perhaps the Romans would have named New York 'Mohicanetucum' after one of the indigenous names for the Hudson.

[@xitheris1758]

@@ValQuinn I rather like the idea of forming Latin place names in the Americas from Latinizations of the Indigenous American names for them. It's both more respectful to Indigenous Americans and more true to the Roman way of naming places.

[@nerfpup3089]

Rufus is remarkably chill for someone who got transported to bassically an alien world with everything being completely different yet familiar

[@realemperorkuzco]

I mean, he's in Atlantis.

[@binabina4445]

Luke says they're working on that video so it's coming

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Yes, see the pinned comment. Thanks for watching!

[@brotherofweasel]

Well, it's part of the Empire now, so basically home.

[@Fastwinstondoom]

The famous roman stoicism is on full display!

[@LanguageSimp]

Latin should be the official language of the USA

[@surfboarding5058]

Should be the official language of Latin America

[@uhuhm3681]

Hello language simp

[@servantofaeie1569]

It's better having no official language because then all languages can be used.

[@jpaulo_ap]

Next time do a livestream reciting the Aeneid in Latin until Marcus Aurelius DMs you to stop

[@schliatzke6712]

Saying ae until Rufus saves you

[@h.s6352]

My favorite part about this video is that he actually invented and perfected an English accent for an ancient Roman soldier whose native language is Latin. Amazing.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks so much, that’s one of my favorite parts too. I look forward for to exploring this accent more in the future.

[@Bumbaskida]

I was thinking this guy must really stand out and no one even gave him a glance. Then i saw Elmo walking past and i realized, New York must just be an endless circus.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha yup

[@WolfyLex-jj2ll]

I love how the "legionnaire"'s accent sounds like a mixture of Italian and Russian accent

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha glad you liked that. Fundamentally I was doing an exaggerated Italian accent impression, but then I reverted a few of the sounds to what they were in Classical Latin (like v to w, sounding kind of Chekov from Star Trek) plus a few spelling pronunciations, also “feerst” for “first” which is very typical of Russians, and other ridiculous things.

[@WolfyLex-jj2ll]

You did a great work there, I have appreciated both the effort and the outcome 👍 I think that accent sounded somehow Russian-like to me because of the exaggerated trilled "r"s (although that's a feature of many languages, including Italian) and the lack of indefinite articles in English. There's a great degree of subjective interpretations though, I'm not always good with recognizing accents either 😅

[@user-xq7pd8dz5j]

Americans are jealous of other's cultures. As always👨‍🦽

[@nicolarulli7733]

@@ScorpioMartianus I'll never understand how so many Italians manage to mispronounce [ɚː] as [øːr] despite not having [ø] in Italian and being largely unable to recreate that sound when trying to speak French or German (or rather, using it as free variation for [e, o, ə])

[@hatamotomoto]

​@@ScorpioMartianusInteresting. Russian inherited a lot from other languages, and interacted with the Eastern Roman Empire, adopting the title of the Third Rome, there will never be a Fourth!

[@premodernist_history]

I love how Rufus keeps calling it Atlantis. The accent and calques are fantastic.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thēnx ae dū tū jū! I talk a bit about that in the pinned comment above.

[@Duke_of_Lorraine]

(visits Nova Aurelianum during Katrina) Looks like Atlantis indeed.

[@r.b.ratieta6111]

*Shows picture of Anthony Hopkins.* "Hannibal est." Rufus: "HANNIBAL???"

[@robertcooney1938]

If people could remember circular time or cycles, (described as concentric circles) maybe Atlantis was here. Again and again.

[@tonegrail650]

The Spanish speaking lady had a huge advantage over the others. She probably understood a good part of Latin already.

[@fernandogarcia-wq1qm]

no creas , hasta 1987 era una materia en la secundaria pero ya no se estudia mas

[@michelleg7]

She was Italian from rome she wasn't spanish.

[@lovelylavenderr]

@@michelleg7then it makes even more sense bc italian is even closer

[@humbertycarrillo483]

The spanish language is Latin in his final form. I am a Hispanic person.

[@humbertycarrillo483]

But the italian language sounds very much similar to the Roman Latin Language. Sorry for My bad English, i am not English Speaking person.

[@starchild2121]

Rufus: "Duc me ad imperatorem tuum" New Yorker: "The empire state building is over there!"

[@kimxudark1258]

"Take me to your emperor"

[@DukeCyrus]

I really like how Rufus "accidentally" said quaestion to really play it up

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha thanks. I practiced the fake accent a bit beforehand. I was hoping my audience would notice touches like that.

[@justindebusk6344]

“I am wery glad…” hahaha love it

[@yonatanshm9353]

​@@ScorpioMartianusIt was awesome 😊 your videos are great 😃😃😃 Bene! (I don't know enough Latin to make a better one😢)

[@yonatanshm9353]

​@@ScorpioMartianusSed quoque sunt Narbonnensis et viennensis celtua provincias

[@Brandon55638]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@pooroldnostradamus]

They should really start calling it Forum Temporum

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Cōnsentiō.

[@TheOnyomiMaster]

Times Square is named after the New York Times. What would the New York Times be named in Latin?

[@shadowdancer8572]

​@@TheOnyomiMaster Novum Eboracum Temporibus (?)🤔

[@sramanakarya]

@@TheOnyomiMaster Tempora Novī Eboracī

[@brexitgreens]

​@@sramanakarya _Novum Eboracum Diurnale._ > 🧑 *Translate "New York Times" to Latin.* > > 🤖 _Novum Eboracum Tempus_ > > 🧑 *_Cur non "Tempora"?_* > > 🤖 "New York Times" in Latin can be translated as _Novum Eboracum Tempus_ or _Novum Eboracum Diurnale._ > > As for the alternative suggestion _Tempora,_ it is a plural form meaning "times" or "seasons". Using it as a translation of "New York Times" would not accurately convey the intended meaning of the newspaper's name. _Source: gpt-3.5-turbo_

[@comosaycomosah]

as someone who uses Ecclesial Latin regularly during the Mass this was awesome lol you're spot on

[@ryanweible9090]

I went to catholic school, so i have forgotten a lot, but it does come in handy with science and etymology.

[@manuel.camelo]

As an Italian I'm extremely proud of you 👁️👃👁️🙏

[@alessandrohs27729]

E io non c'ho capito una sega😂

[@graf]

hearing "english with a latin accent" is definitely a first. can't help but love it

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks, Graf! I just pinned a comment above explaining a bit of what I was trying to do with the accent.

[@Lausanamo]

The accent is perfect! Every last detail, it's as if a true roman came to our time. The difficulty of pronouncing "sh", the lack of articles, the "name to me is"...

[@Brandon55638]

I agree. The accent he is using is a mixture of Italian and Greek accents.

[@wyqtor]

And the "w" in "wery good"! 😊

[@Brandon55638]

@@wyqtor 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ScorpioMartianus]

I'm glad you enjoyed the accent I came up with! I have a pinned comment above where I explain in more detail.

[@jcpana060959]

How can we really know how the accent was? I guess maybe close to Italian but even so that's just guessing.

[@Chelsey-Cello]

I often sing to my son in Latin. I can read it and speak what I read, but I struggle with actually speaking it. Such a beautiful language.

[@user01557]

Latin is the most nobel language Is really awesome to listen you talking fluently. INCREDIBLE!!

[@richardyao9012]

Do this in Tokyo and watch everyone who is not a fan of Thermae Romae identify you as an American.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

lol yup

[@sebastianschmidt3869]

In a place like that he perfectly blends in with the locals 😃

[@kathleenhensley5951]

There is weirder, there. I escaped in 1970 and never looked back and certainly never returned.

[@handsomeman-pm9vy]

A lunatic on every corner. lol

[@scarnoir6566]

As a German who had Latin as a first foreign language and who proceeds to learn PIE , this was very interesting to watch. Thanks a lot.

[@lardgedarkrooster6371]

As a person interested in languages, do you have resources for learning PIE that you can share? I've always wanted to learn it

[@meissnerflux]

Deserves an immediate subscription. What a deep understanding and passion for the classics.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

That’s very kind of you.

[@heatherchurch4287]

Absolutely cracked up when you kept the "funeral decoration" microphone gag running- I enjoyed this thoroughly, thank you for making and sharing this !!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks very much! I’m really glad if my viewers enjoy my silly sense of humor.

[@Gitsmasher]

Rufus seems be disdains about the micro phone, since its greek langauge😂

[@LZimmermann52]

Your roman accent is wonderful 😅

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha thanks, it was fun to invent that.

[@ezramills6356]

When I saw the title, I asked myself which Latin language, because there are plenty of Latin languages such as French and Spanish Just to clarify, English is Germanic

[@alessandrohs27729]

It's not roman accent😂, it's latin

[@justinaccount9920]

I wonder how he knew how It sounded like since there were no audio recorders back then

[@ryanp646]

​@@alessandrohs27729 Indians have Indian accents, not Hindi accents

[@Grak70]

That Canadian did pretty good for never reading Latin out loud.

[@goodluckgorsky3413]

I love the Roman accent and how fun it is. But I also really like the people you chose to interview. They all seem to have a different accent when trying to read the unfamiliar Latin text which is really interesting to see!

[@markp44288]

This must have been so fun. I wouldn't expect a Legionnaire to be so friendly and patient, but I am glad Rufus was.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha yes, we can imagine Rufus has had many months to acclimate to the modern world. Also, this Rufus we see here is a combination of the gruff character from the previous three videos, plus my enthusiastic Latin teacher personality.

[@Swenthorian]

"I speak Italian!" "Read this like it's Italian." 10:30 *Reads it in Frenglish.*

[@matteo-ciaramitaro]

The Canadian in them really came out

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Hehe yes indeed, though he did very well! It was great to meet Canadians since their French experience really helped.

[@Immigrantlovesamerica]

@@ScorpioMartianus Its interesting. im a spanish speaker. The first reading I understood wholly. The second one I had no idea. When you clarified certain words it all clicked for me.

[@NathanWind99]

I couldn't understand much spoken but I can get a lot of meaning from the subtitles. Amazing how much of it survives in English to this day.

[@YTScarlet]

Your Latin/Italian accent for your native language was amazing! Your enthusiasm is really showing, as you help people understand! Great job!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thank you!

[@SoulcatcherLucario]

ok i love how quickly rufus learned english and how latin phonotactic limitations makes his english sound a bit slavic also, very nice to know that theophilus is okay, thought he was trapped in ancient rome 😭

[@nerysghemor5781]

YES, plus the lack of articles really makes it seem like a Slavic accent.

[@valerietaylor9615]

I thought so too, at least in the beginning.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha yes, Part 4 of the story will explain what happened in the past several months (or however long it's been since Rufus and Theophilus were both transported back to modern times). Essentially Theophilus was just knocked unconscious, and the accidental activation of the time machine brought them back to the present day.

[@KookoCraft]

omg nice gender

[@JasperSynth]

Please come to Nashville and speak to people in Greek at the Parthenon. Also, a video of an ancient greek man walking down broadway is what the internet was made for.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

That's a great idea.

[@martincatoniryan1638]

there's a Parthenon in nashville, TN?

[@Ramser03]

@@martincatoniryan1638yes full-scale replica I believe. The inside is different though I think

[@thehydrationman5500]

As a person who has absolutely no affiliation whatsoever with Tennessee I can confirm.

[@aldrinmilespartosa1578]

@@Ramser03 Like how I know that thing existed only because a certain youtuber living there.

[@rotciv1492]

Just knowing that in this world there is at least one Roman legionary well-clad in his lorica segmentata while speaking fluent Latin already makes my life much better.

[@maiquephrancisco6371]

Rufus venha para o Brasil, e tente ver se os brasileiros entendem ou não Latim. O português é uma língua derivada do Latim. Salvētē !

[@olivius8891]

"pls come to Brasil" spotted

[@rw3899]

pudim

[@maiquephrancisco6371]

@@adilson_js gratias tibi!

[@ElizabethDMadison]

The time machine brought us, naturally, to the Forum Temporum... LOLOL

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Hahae

[@der_sandler]

I love the acting. Luke's normal friendly teacher way of speaking wouldnt have fit a roman legionary so well. Good that he realized that in advance

[@der_sandler]

Although now I see that as the vid goes on, he morphs back into his old self. Haha

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha, yes, with the participants I mainly am myself, the friendly Latin teacher, but with a few proud Roman stereotypes like, "we KNOW we come from Troy!" Thus the character here is mostly just me with a funny accent, and less Rufus from the Legionarius series. Still, lots of fun.

[@sorenkorvberg8736]

hahaha you are an absolute legend for taking the roleplaying seriously, it makes it a lot more fun to watch and learn!

[@marvincool3744]

What a patient teacher

[@timoshenko1971]

If he had travelled to the year 1820 instead of 2020, he wouldn’t had any trouble finding Latin speaking people.

[@taoliu3949]

Maybe, maybe not. The Latin people learned in 1820 was mostly academic Latin and differed significantly in pronunciation (basically Latin read with modern language conventions). It was more of a written language than spoken. There would be a lot more priests who knew ecclesiastical Latin which is intelligible with Classical Latin though.

[@timoshenko1971]

@@taoliu3949 I doubt that 1820 educated New Yorkers ignored De Bello Gallico.

[@taoliu3949]

@@timoshenko1971 1820s New Yorkers did not know how Julius Caesar pronounced his Latin. Latin back in those days used "regional pronunciations", aka reading Latin as if you're reading your own language. This was as much true in Academia it was in the Church. Reconstructed Classical pronunciation would not start catching on until the mid 1900s while the Church shifted towards Ecclesiastical Pronunciation which is based off of Roman phonology.

[@timoshenko1971]

@@taoliu3949 in 1820 the generation of the Founding Fathers were still alive. I’m talking about the men who founded cities like Cincinnati, who modeled Washington DC on Rome. Of course “Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres” would’ve rang a bell.

[@taoliu3949]

@@timoshenko1971 And like I've said, NONE OF THEM KNEW HOW CAESAR PRONOUNCED LATIN. Latin back then was read as if you're reading English, which is significantly different than how Classical Latin would have sounded to the point that neither would be able to understand each other. Case in point Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon communicated in Latin by mail, but when they met each other in person they were unable to communicate due to differences in pronunciation, and this was 500 years ago when Spanish was a lot closer to Latin than it is today.

[@le_sebasti4723]

13:38 Man, I loved it when you said "to me name Lucius" because that's how you say in Latin. These little details scattered thorough the video are just wonderful. Please keep it up, love your content et gratias tibi ago lucii

[@valerietaylor9615]

Only he’s Rufus on this channel. This was the first time I’ve ever seen it, actually. I didn’t realize it wasn’t Polymathy until after it was over.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha thanks! I have a more in depth explanation of the accent in a pinned comment above.

[@gahmuretvanbegonia994]

you keep getting more fluent and natural sounding; amazing

[@adlerzwei]

He’s always so kind to the barbares. 🥹

[@ilgufo1146]

He even has a subarmalis. What an absolute legend

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha yes, I’m wearing the full authentic armor here, including subarmalis. Underneath I wore a sleeveless undershirt and basketball shorts.

[@amckittrick7951]

​@ScorpioMartianus authentic basketball shorts?

[@ln5321]

@@ScorpioMartianus Just like the Romans used to do

[@user-xq7pd8dz5j]

​@@ln5321 American romans might s*ck even more😁🖖

[@res-publica]

That soldier is really out there spreading language and culture like a true Roman

[@Katya_Lastochka]

No that was the Etruscans. The Romans were conquerers.

[@LuisBrito-ly1ko]

@@Katya_Lastochka Actually, the Etruscans were conquerors first. Rome took part of their things, mixed it with their own, and then spread it.

[@joaosantos-mm4sq]

Tem que vim no Brasil rufus👍🇧🇷

[@mrarstan4621]

If this guy is reborn in ancient Rome, imagine how easy it will be for him

[@themaskedman221]

🤣🤣

[@neoqwerty]

This is absolutely amazing and exactly why I'm subscribed to you. The little non-native-language touches you put into this were amazing and it's made me think about my worldbuilding (I have some time travelers of my own and never thought about how their native language would impact accents).

[@__D10S__]

I really appreciate how you make every interviewee feel comfortable doing something like this. you are extremely good at it

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks very much! That's the Latin teacher side of me. I'm really enthusiastic about sharing the language, and I am glad the participants were so generous with their time.

[@faryafaraji]

LET'S GOOOO been waiting for this one since the post credit tease in August

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha so glad to have you back, brother!

[@AmadeMuse]

no way its the time traveller himself

[@theshadowsagas3617]

Farya Faraji in the comments? What is this, a crossover episode?

[@breakinggood3601]

Sameee

[@alaxion5628]

this is absolutely incredible! the english with latin accent was amazing

[@York22]

This is absolutely fantastic!!! Do more of this !!! Bring the beauty of Latin to the people

[@rainbs2nd957]

I was so hyped for this episode and it didn't disappoint me! It was so fun to see Rufus speaking English hahahah

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Really glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully Part 4 of the story (which precedes the events here by many months in the timeline) will be similarly entertaining.

[@martincatoniryan1638]

@@ScorpioMartianus I can't wait!!! these episodes are so entertaining!!! please, keep releasing these!!! Great job!

[@VentiVonOsterreich]

This man isn't reenacting Ancient Rome, he lived through it

[@yulekmotilek7991]

Большое спасибо за видео! Как раз изучаем в университете латинский на лингвистике.

[@OmegaDoesThings]

I'm always impressed when anyone can layer an accent on top of an accent (in particular, Theophilus' German Latin gets me every time)

[@valerietaylor9615]

Who is Theophilus? Though I suppose I’ll find out if I watch more of these videos. I’m familiar with Polymathy, but this is the first time I’ve seen Scorpio Martianus.

[@OmegaDoesThings]

@@valerietaylor9615 The time-traveling cameraman as it were. You're in for a treat!

[@wyqtor]

Theophilus speaks Latin just like Pope Benedict (REQVIESCAT IN PACE)!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha thanks very much!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

This is a continuation of the Legionarius series: kzbin.info/aero/PLU1WuLg45SiyDv9IZOMxGcE3bQPbZ35sN

[@bearcb]

Loved the way you ended it: Rome is ethernal, Rome is here!

[@jasonwoodruff6931]

I'm so glad I found thus channel, I'm taking Latin lessons on duolingo and this is a great way to help practice

[@Jasper_Drummer]

I’m reading de bello gallico in class right now! That’s hilarious that you pulled out this passage. Great vid! Optime, amice!

[@c.j.2262]

Oh you have to keep doing this! We all need Roma on-site reporter and teacher at different locations. 💪🦅🇮🇹

[@IkkezzUsedEmber]

Love this. Especially the extra additions to the accent "quaest- question" well done man

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Grātiās!

[@julianius484]

​@@ScorpioMartianusAt the gates!

[@glennritz1453]

That ending was perfect! So funny, your videos are always the best and i’m always exciting when i see there’s a new one. Thanks a ton and have a Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for the comment

[@joecee6862]

This channel makes my Roman history wikipedia binges useful! I loved the little jab at Catalina, she was definitely an ambitious one 😂

[@leornendeealdenglisc]

Wow. You actually did it! This is beyond impressive!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Ic þancie þē, mīn freond!

[@servantofaeie1569]

@@ScorpioMartianus Ok, now you have to go to England and speak Old English!

[@revanel]

Rufus has an interesting Slavic/Greek accent 😂

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Haha yes indeed! I constructed this fake accent on a base of Italian like intonation, but then altered certain sounds like the v to /w/ (sounds kind of Slavic) and retracted the s (like Greeks do), giving this exact perception. Glad if you enjoyed it. I sure had fun.

[@revanel]

@@ScorpioMartianusI did enjoy it 🙂. Great video!

[@Katya_Lastochka]

Sounds like Dracula.

[@NKomarov]

every non-American would speak that way

[@2712animefreak]

@@ScorpioMartianus Does /w/ really sound Slavic? It only occurs in a few Slavic languages. I think /v/ or /ʋ/ is the basic V-sound for Slavs.

[@gmanhero]

I love that this was exactly what I was hoping it would be, excellent video 10/10

[@fluffypuffy7511]

fun content! I‘ve studied Latin for about 6 years and it payed off as I was able to understand pretty much everything you said without the subtitles! very exiting, I never thought I’d use Latin that way xD

[@AdiforistheInsane]

Your videos have inspired me to eventually pick up and learn Latin. I hope to be fluent enough like you are some day!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

That's great! With time and effort, you can do it.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

I'm a native Dutch, I read Asterix & Obelix, so I understand most of what you say :)

[@timurbelarus-musicloverand7234]

I'm Belarus and I appreciate this video😊 Please, continue this format😍

[@giacatnguyen9635]

This was a pleasure to watch! I'm used to street interview videos being mean spirited affairs where the interviewer really wants to make the interviewees look stupid, but this one was clearly a guy sharing something he enjoys with people who aren't as familiar with it. I'll also say that I'm very glad there are subtitles (and I'm glad the subtitles aren't translated into English!). Most of what I know of Latin either comes from English (roots and such) or from remembering bits of French, but it's fun to guess the meaning. There's no chance whatsoever I could do that from hearing it, but seeing it makes it a bit more sporting.

[@TheWuailson]

The good news is that Prof. Theophilus somehow survived! Muy daughter -who is learning both english and latin- will be happy to see this.

[@eQualizeri]

This might have been my second or third time this week that I thought about the Roman Empire. Optimum!

[@MrMacavity]

It's quite interesting to hear and listen to the Latin language. As a Swedish person I can definitely recognize some of the words and phrases used. I really wish we would have had the opportunity to learn Latin in school when I grew up also. Keep up the good work 👍

[@tonirk5122]

Por fin conocen a un latino de verdad.

[@binabina4445]

I'd love to see more of Rufus' reaction to new york 😂

[@binabina4445]

I'm calling Americans Atlantians from now on

[@ScorpioMartianus]

There is a little of that here. Part 4 of the Interview with the Legionary series will show what happened immediately after Rufus was transported in time. These comprehensibility experiment takes places a while after his initial arrival in Part 4 (which is yet to be made).

[@binabina4445]

@@ScorpioMartianus oh that's exciting. I can't wait! I homeschool my niece and nephew in Latin and they love Rufus.

[@karolcegielski8880]

Me too beacuse I will be in New York in the next week haha

[@binabina4445]

@@karolcegielski8880 Give us an update on their reactions haha

[@grit1679]

Based on this video, I'm confident that if I somehow time travelled to the old Roman Republic, I would at least be capable of _learning_ Latin! I only speak English and very little Spanish, but I read enough that I can pick out some words to get the gist of what is being said.

[@mikemondano3624]

You wouldn't be able to get far for jobs. The upper classes and politicians spoke Greek. Maybe you could work at a slow-food place.

[@Maric18]

@@mikemondano3624 rome had fast food

[@greenpulseeducation5002]

Latin is one of the biggest language for our world civiliazation. Much respect from Ethiopia. Greece, Egypt, Indian and Chines and many other semtic languages..

[@Sonmz]

Very cool, it's good that Rufus is adapted to the environment and doesn't look shocked. He's lucky to see the world of the future.😉 I understood everything that was written on the sheet that Josh was translating, even though I am a Russian who knows English at an average level. Latin has had a very strong influence on many Western European languages and it's natural.

[@abraaobruno3481]

Luke, I am a native Portuguese speaker: it is yours to understand everything you said in Latin.

[@altralinguamusica]

This was so fun! I'd love more on your Latin accent in English, what features of Latin phonology that would come through whenever there was an English sound Latin doesn't have, etc. Also, I was screaming "Empire!" through half of this to the people you asked. Frustrating but fun haha. I really loved the "name to me" thing, by the way. Looking forward to more!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks! I just posted a pinned comment above with some information on it. Really glad you enjoyed it.

[@ChokyoDK]

amazing as usual

[@Gitsmasher]

Love yah❤ Thank you for preserving a bit of Roman heritage!❤❤

[@quidest5]

È incredibile come provi a parlare in inglese con accento latino. Fantastico!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Ahaha sono molto contento se ti piace il mio accento finto

[@quidest5]

@@ScorpioMartianus una minima sfumatura che sembra russo, ma considerando quello che stai facendo penso il tuo accento ha qualcosa di incredibilmente autentico. Vale Lucius!

[@ProfessorMichaelWingert]

This is fantastic. Love the interactive videos, but I'm enjoying the character Rufus go on his exploits. Perhaps he can go to DC as the 4th Rome (after the first Rome, then Constantinople, and then Moscow) and interact with the bureaucrats (or at least smack them down in Latin). Lots of architectural vocabulary and "history" there. You're a great teacher magister. P.S. Everyone watching, watch the ads to to fund more of these videos!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Very kind, Professor Michael! Great ideas.

[@ahmedharris4746]

This is great. Sounds efficient and classy. Makes me want to start learning it.

[@TurUwU]

What a beautiful language. Greetings from Finland!

[@ancientromewithamy]

Great video! I was just at a "live nativity" in Cooperstown, PA where they also had great period costumes and Roman armor. They didn't speak Latin but they did have signs in Hebrew, which I don't speak. I have some relatives in Atlantis, I mean NYC! I need to get back there someday! Felicem diem Nativitatis! 🎄

[@peterblair4448]

Love this. I need more Rufus

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Gaudeō!

[@Mr556x45mm]

Thank you KZbin algorithms, this was very fun to listen to. Glad I found your channel.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks so much for being here! There are several types of things on the channel, from covers of songs to comedy to full-on Latin lessons. I hope you find them useful!

[@tanta3343]

This was amazing. Rufus is the best teacher I've ever seen

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Just wait till the next videos!

[@EyeLean5280]

Oh, wow, sorry to have missed you! I'll definitely be showing this video to my students ❤

[@SplendidFellow]

This is awesome. You should go back to Italy and play it out as though you really are an ancient Roman who has been transported through time and is confused, looking for help from modern Italians, with a hidden camera!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks! That would be really fun. The biggest obstacle is that the armor cannot be easily transported. I could certainly play the character, but I would want to have some kind of appropriate attire.

[@SplendidFellow]

⁠@@ScorpioMartianusMaybe a dirty and torn toga and sandals? You could stumble around and be like "Úbi sum? Quis tu es populus? Quid Colosseum destruxit? In cubiculo meo eram, lucem vidi claram, nunc hic sum..."

[@gotaro69]

Very fun video, thanks!

[@dubitataugustinus]

I wish I could follow the journey in person! Your work is SO meaningful and important, thank you for keeping the language alive.

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Gosh thanks, that’s so nice of you to say. I’m happy to say I’m just a voice in a vast chorus of scholars and enthusiasts, all of whom inspire me daily.

[@dubitataugustinus]

@@ScorpioMartianus I did up to Latin 4 in university, and TA for Latin 2, but it was always really hard for me, with (at that moment) undiagnosed ADHD. I have forgotten too many things, but in my PhD (film studies) I find myself far from Latin, no time to practice and catch up. I want to get back into it in the future, and your videos are the one thing I believe can do the trick.

[@delta9031]

My fiancé legit said "Is that Johnny Sins speaking in latin" 😂😂

[@hc7719]

12:12 is hilarious!!! Id love to see more of rufus interacting with modern people, and him just talking to himself about experiencing the morern world. Its so entertaining and brings so much new liveliness to studying a "dead" language!!

[@ScorpioMartianus]

Thanks! That's a great idea. Part 4 should be fun when it comes out.

[@gabriellima7900]

Great video Luke

[@Fablesblade]

I've been learning Latin for a little while now, so I don't know much, but it's really exciting to understand some of it here and there. I love your channel and am thankful for it. It's so cool to hear Latin spoken fluently, and with a sense of humor! 😄❤