Mrs.

Janice Simmons
Fork Union Military Academy
4744 James Madison Hwy
Fork Union, VA 23055
Dear Mrs. Simmons,
I have ultimately selected to have my capstone project be an
extension of my personal endeavors in pursuing a broader understanding of
Latin based linguistics. This project will aid in not only my personal
pursuits, but with a language-learning pre-requisite, required at The United States Military Academy at
West Point. Aside from being convenient, I believe this project will aid those around me if I am ever
stationed in a location where Latin based languages are utilized. I plan on learning conversational to
intermediate Italian over the course of this project. Because I already speak three languages fluently, (two
of which are Latin based) (Portuguese/Spanish), learning Italian is a very obtainable goal. With this, if
successful, I seek to prove that learning a language is not as difficult as many anticipate. That with solemn
dedication and consistency linguistics is not an obstacle to overcome but a joyful experience.
Through a mixture of conventional and non-conventional language learning methods, varying
from The Rosetta Stone, YouTube, Italian grammar sites, practice worksheets, etc., I will aim to grasp the
general understanding of the Italian language. Day by day, I will progress onward into the varying lessons
and becoming more accustom to the linguistic properties of Italian. I will attempt week by week to create
custom sentences as my ability becomes more prominent. The goal will be achieved when I can
effortlessly speak conversationally without any significant linguistic impediments. The performance of
my final product will be a brief showcase of the language by translating an Italian interview to English.
The way I believe this project will stretch me beyond my current skill set would be a new skill to
learn. The only prior knowledge I have of this language would be the Latin basis of the other languages I
have mastered. This is a brand new playing field and will require all my focus. As a second focal point to
pushing, my knowledge boundaries would be to master not only a language but to master my time
management skills, for without impeccable time management, I will not be able to immerse myself in the
language. To learn the skill in a set amount of time will truly test my ability to manage my time.
In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone elses
language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.
As defined by the Princeton University writing resource. The consequences are, but are not limited to
(immediate zero on assignment, honor council trial, possible expulsion etc.) "On my honor as a student I
have neither given nor received aid on this assignment"
I, Nicholas Schrage, give my word, on my honor, that I have not falsified any information or plagiarized
on any portion of this assignment.

Sincerely,

Nicholas P. Schrage