LONDON — It’s a bona fide scandal. Britain’s Latin and Greek aficionados are outraged at a decision by some local councils to veto the use of Latin words and phrases — including bona fide, ad lib, et cetera and e.g. — in official documents.
The councils say Latin is no longer widely understood. But classicists say axing Latin is an attack on the foundations of English — the linguistic equivalent of “ethnic cleansing.”
The council in Bourne mouth, a town of 170,000, has a “plain language” policy that lists 19 Latin words and phrases to be avoided and suggests replacements. The council recommends “improvised” instead of ad hoc, and “genuine” for bona fide.
Salisbury City Council also advises staff to avoid ad hoc and et cetera, as well as French phrases like “in lieu” and “fait accompli.”
