Most texts and materials on this site have to do with the Latin language, including its perception in popular culture: movies, tattoos, inscriptions, engravings, bits of ancient philosophy, online Latin resources and company names. There is also information about learning Latin and Greek: textbooks, dictionaries, DVDs and software that can be used in a homeschooling environment.
This is just too bizarre not to mention here. Alexandr Nevzorov, a Russian film-maker well-known for his eccentricity and right wing inclinations (as well as genuine love for horses), has released a new movie entitled "Lectio Equaria Palaestra." This Latin phrase can be translated as "Equine reading in the arena." In the movie, Nevzorov claims that as a follower of an Ancient school of equestrian training he is able to teach horses how to read (Masons and Knights Templar are, of course, mentioned indiscriminately). That's right, folks. Horses can read! But wait! They can read IN LATIN. Supposedly, these intelligent creatures can even communicate back using large cardboard letters, randomly arranged in front of the horses' eyes.
In this promotional clip for "Lectio Equaria Palaestra," the horse replies to Nevzorov's question "Who is in this picture?" The picture is a portrait of a woman, and the horse correctly answers: "UXOR." A circus trick, of course. Nevertheless, some people will be fooled by this! Every student of Latin knows that the language is nearly impossible to learn, whether you are human or equine.
300 words is not a lot, but they go a long way! Typically, around 2000 words in any language is enough to be able to figure out simple texts with the use of a dictionary. A much shorter word list of 300 entries may be a good start for an absolute beginner or someone who merely wants to understand mottos and basic Latin quotes.
I made a very simple vocabulary game in order to test out a method of learning foreign words that is based on combining the idea of a memory game and the concept of flashcards. I could very easily increase the number of words available in this program, but I would like to know it this approach is helpful at all.