The association of Latin with demonic entities in popular culture, particularly within the horror genre, is a recurring trope. This linguistic connection suggests an air of antiquity, authority, and a detachment from the modern world. This perceived remoteness renders the language suitable to represent forces beyond human comprehension or control. As a dead language, its usage imbues these entities with a sense of timelessness and unchanging malevolence.
The utilization of this specific language is largely rooted in historical context. Latin served as the lingua franca of the Western Church for centuries and was the language of scholarship and law during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. During this period, the Church played a significant role in defining and combating perceived demonic influences. Exorcism rituals, therefore, were typically performed in Latin, solidifying the language’s association with the struggle against evil. The perceived power inherent in the language of religious authority was subsequently transferred to the forces it sought to oppose.
