Orator in rostris stat et de novo decreto clara voce loquitur.

After in, Latin uses different cases depending on the meaning:

• in + ablative = location, in / on
• in + accusative = motion toward, into / onto

Here the idea is location: the speaker is standing on the rostra, not moving onto it. So Latin uses the ablative: in rostris.

Because loquor, loqui, locutus sum is a deponent verb. Deponent verbs have passive-looking forms but active meanings.

So:

• loquitur looks passive in form
• but means he/she speaks, not he/she is spoken

This is a very common point of confusion for English speakers learning Latin.

Latin usually does not need an expressed subject pronoun, because the verb ending already shows the person and number.

• stat = he/she/it stands
• loquitur = he/she speaks

Since orator is already present as the subject, adding is (he) would usually be unnecessary unless there were special emphasis.

The preposition de takes the ablative case. So decreto is ablative singular.

Here:

• de = about / concerning
• novo modifies decreto
• decreto is ablative because of de

So de novo decreto means about the new decree.

Because novo is an adjective modifying decreto, and Latin adjectives agree with the nouns they describe in:

• gender
• number
• case

So both are:

• neuter
• singular
• ablative

That is why we get novo decreto.

It is an ablative of manner or, in some explanations, an ablative expressing the way something is done. It tells us how the speaker speaks: with a clear voice.

Latin often expresses this idea with an ablative noun and adjective:

• clara voce = in a clear voice / with a clear voice

With an ablative of manner, Latin often uses cum if the noun stands alone:

• cum cura = with care

But when the noun has an adjective, Latin often omits cum:

• magna cura
• clara voce

So clara voce without cum is perfectly normal Latin.

Latin word order is more flexible than English word order because Latin uses case endings to show grammatical relationships. English depends much more on position.

In this sentence:

• Orator is the subject
• in rostris gives location
• stat finishes the first clause
• et joins the two clauses
• de novo decreto and clara voce add details before loquitur

Latin often places important words in prominent positions, and it commonly leaves the verb until later than English would.

Yes, within limits. Because the endings show the grammar, Latin can move words around more freely than English. For example, a Roman could rearrange parts of this sentence for emphasis without changing the basic meaning.

However, the exact order can affect style, emphasis, and rhythm. So while the core meaning stays the same, the chosen order is not random.

Because one subject can govern more than one verb. Here orator is the subject of both:

• stat = stands
• loquitur = speaks

This is exactly like English: The speaker stands and speaks. Latin does not need to repeat the subject before the second verb.