Dead Language

One day this week, I was grading at my desk as students filtered in after lunch for Senior English. I was very focused on what I was doing, so I only semi-heard the following statement: "Mrs. Blain, did you know Greek is a dead language?" I paused, thinking, "Hmm...something in that statement did not sound quite right." I looked up, now very curious about the factoid, and saw one of my senior boys, beaming as if he had just shared the most shocking news I would ever hear in my entire life. "Pardon me?" "Greek. Did you know it's a dead language?" Ah, the smirk on his proud face. I can still see it in my mind. He was so excited to know something shocking, edgy, and awe inspiring. I blinked a few times, and very dryly replied, "Then what do they speak in Greece?" ******Pause****** Me again. "Do you mean Latin?" ******Pause****** A very meek, "Oh. Yes." escaped from my students lips. I was trying so hard not to burst into laughter, then another student piped up, "You thought Greek was a dead language!?" His laughter is what truly got me going. I couldn't help it, and I felt terrible. Giggles erupted before I could stop them, but thankfully, my fact captain joined in the laughter at his own blunder. So, let me ask you, "Did you know Greek is a dead language?!"