Latin Grammar: Dative Case

Introduction to Inflected Language

• Latin is an inflected language where noun endings determine their role in a sentence.
• English uses word order and prepositions to show noun functions.

Dative Case Basics

• Dative Case in Latin often translates to 'to' in English.
• Example: "Mater filio donum dat" translates to "The mother gives a gift to her son."
• The dative case is crucial for understanding indirect objects in Latin sentences.

Review of Cases

• Nominative Case: Used for the subject of the verb. E.g., "mater" (mother).
• Accusative Case: Used for the direct object receiving the action. E.g., "donum" (gift).

Function of the Dative Case

• Indirect Object: Receives the direct object. Example: "filio" (to the son).
• The dative case is commonly used with verbs related to giving, showing, and telling.

Dative Case Endings

• First Declension: Singular -ae (puelai), Plural -is (puelis).
• Second Declension: Singular -ō (filio), Plural -is (filis).
• Third Declension: Singular -ī (matri), Plural -ibus (matribus).
• Pronouns: "To me" is mihi, "to you (singular)" is tibi, "to us" is nobis, "to you all" is vobis, "to him/her" is ei, "to them" is eis.

Common Verbs with Dative

• Often appear with dative nouns, especially in verbs of giving, showing, and telling.
• Examples:
  • "Sextus told a story to Claudia" (Sextus Claudiae fabulam dixit).
  • "I show you a book" (Ego tibi librum monstro).

Dative of Reference

• Used when the dative noun receives the benefit from the action (not the direct object).
• Example: "Gaius prepared dinner for the old men" (Gaius senibus cenam paravit).

Motion Towards vs. Dative

• Latin prepositions "ad" or "in" are used for motion towards a place, not the dative case.
• Example: "The messenger returned to the city" (Nuntius ad urbem revenit).

Special Insights

• Omnibus: Historical use leading to the modern term 'bus' from the dative ending of the adjective "omnis" meaning all.
  • Reflects how Latin influences modern language.

Summary

• Dative involves indirect objects or reference, translating to 'to' or 'for'.
• Remembering '2 + 4' for 'to' and 'for' equals six, which is the number of letters in "dative".
• There are other nuanced uses of dative in Latin; understanding the main uses will aid comprehension.