Fun with Latin
The Editter posted a verse in Latin with her stab at translation, which included something about arguments in a Fiat and virtuous butter substitutes. I've always been proud of the fact that I was able to translate all the Latin in the Bayeux tapestry, but then again that was 16 years ago, and I haven't exactly had much use for Latin since then (except that it helped me learn Spanish rather quickly!).So I cheated a bit and downloaded a Latin translator. Here is the original verse, and QuickLatin's suggested translation:
Funde flores, thura crema,
Omne sit laetitiae thema,
Facessat quicquid est amari.
Tuba sonet et tormentum
Grande fiat argumentum
Invicti virtus Olivari!
Pour your flourish, the frankincenses the gruel,
Each may be the joy/happiness the theme,
May do the quicquid eats to be loved.
The trumpet will make a noise/sound and the windlass
Let it be done the full-grown proof
The unconquered strength/power of Olivarus
And with a little more help from QuickLatin, here is what I think it should be, more or less:
Scatter blossoms, burn frankincense,
All are joyful themes
That may make anyone fall in love.
The trumpet sounds and the windlass,
Make great the evidence
Of the unconquered power of Olivarus
It doesn't really flow, though, does it. Amari also means bitter, so maybe it's not about falling in love at all. And tormentum means windlass, instrument for twisting/winding, engine for hurling stones, any torture device.
Hmmm
R.
Hmmm
R.
posted by flying kiwi @ 12:16 PM
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