One secretly loved Latin, even in translation (9)
I believe the answer is:
valentine
'one secretly loved latin even in translation' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'latin even in translation' is the wordplay.
'in translation' is an anagram indicator (I've seen this in other clues).
'latin'+'even'='latineven'
'latineven' with letters rearranged gives 'VALENTINE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for valentine that I've seen before include "Saint regarded as the patron of lovers" , "Love card" , "A loving greeting card sent on February 14th" , "Feb 14 card" , "Saint of sweethearts" .)