Here's why:
* Language of the Church: Latin was the official language of the Catholic Church, and monasteries played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating religious texts.
* Prestige and Scholarship: Latin was considered the language of learning and scholarship, and monks were often highly educated.
* Manuscript Production: Monasteries were centers of manuscript production, copying religious texts, philosophical works, and scientific treatises in Latin.
While Latin was the dominant language, monks also copied texts in other languages, including:
* Greek: Early Christian texts and works of ancient Greek philosophers.
* Hebrew: Texts from the Old Testament and Jewish religious literature.
* Old English: Anglo-Saxon texts, including the epic poem Beowulf.
* Other vernacular languages: Local languages were sometimes used for liturgical purposes or to record historical events.
However, Latin remained the primary language of monastic scriptoria, contributing to its enduring legacy in Western culture.