One of today's saying is very similar to one you've seen before: Ante tubam trepidat, "He's trembling before the war-trumpet (has sounded)." The version today just changes the verb: Ante tubam trepidat, "You're trembling before the war-trumpet (has sounded)." That's how sayings work: you adjust them to fit the circumstances!
To get started, here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before:
And here are today's proverbs:
1. In arena aedificas.
You’re-building in sand.
in a-RE-na ae-DI-ficas.
The word aedificas is the 2nd-person form of aedificat, "build." The Latin word is a compound: aed-facio, "building-make." This is the root of the English word "edifice."
1. In arena aedificas.
You’re-building in sand.
in a-RE-na ae-DI-ficas.
The word aedificas is the 2nd-person form of aedificat, "build." The Latin word is a compound: aed-facio, "building-make." This is the root of the English word "edifice."
The word arena (arenā) is the ablative form of arena with the preposition in.
This saying can be applied to anyone who is embarking on a big project on a shaky foundation!
2. Ante tubam trepidas.
You’re-trembling before the-war-trumpet (blows).
ante tubam TRE-pidas.
You already know all the words in this saying!
The word trepidas is the 2nd-person form of trepidat.
The word tubam is the accusative form of tuba with the preposition ante. Remember: most prepositions take the ablative case, but some can take the accusative case, like ante.
Compare the English saying, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
3. In media luce erras.
You’re-blundering in broad daylight.
in ME-dia luce erras.
You also know all the words in this saying!
The word erras is the 2nd-person form of errat.
4. Aquam e pumice postulas.
You’re demanding water from stone.
aquam e PU-mice POS-tulas.
The word postulas is the 2nd-person form of postulat, "demand, ask, request." You can see this word in English "postulate" and "expostulate."
The word pumice is the ablative form of pumex with the preposition in.
The word luce is the ablative form of lux with the preposition in. Because luce is a feminine noun, it takes a feminine adjective, also in the ablative case: mediā.
The Latin literally says "in the middle of the light," but I thought the English phrase "in broad daylight" was a good equivalent. The idea is that when there's plenty of light, there's no reason to blunder around as if you were in the dark.
4. Aquam e pumice postulas.
You’re demanding water from stone.
aquam e PU-mice POS-tulas.
The word postulas is the 2nd-person form of postulat, "demand, ask, request." You can see this word in English "postulate" and "expostulate."
The word pumice is the ablative form of pumex with the preposition in.
The word aquam is the accusative form of aqua. It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.
Compare the English saying, "blood from a turnip."
5. Viperam sub ala nutricas.
You’re nourishing a-snake under (your) wing.
VI-peram sub ala nu-TRI-cas.
The word nutricas is the 2nd-person form of nutricat, "nourish." You can see the Latin root in the English word "nutrition."
The word ala (alā), "wing," is the ablative form of ala with the preposition in. This word is at the root of "aileron," a part of an airplane wing. The Latin word ala can also mean "armpit," metaphorically mapping the bird's wing onto the human body.
5. Viperam sub ala nutricas.
You’re nourishing a-snake under (your) wing.
VI-peram sub ala nu-TRI-cas.
The word nutricas is the 2nd-person form of nutricat, "nourish." You can see the Latin root in the English word "nutrition."
The word ala (alā), "wing," is the ablative form of ala with the preposition in. This word is at the root of "aileron," a part of an airplane wing. The Latin word ala can also mean "armpit," metaphorically mapping the bird's wing onto the human body.
The word viperam is the accusative form of vipera. It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.
Compare the English phrase, "to nourish a viper in one's bosom." Of course, nourishing a viper in your armpit would be seriously scary!
Here's a recap:
Plus the LOLCats!
Here's a recap:
- In arena aedificas.
- Ante tubam trepidas.
- In media luce erras.
- Aquam e pumice postulas.
- Viperam sub ala nutricas.
Plus the LOLCats!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are limited to Google accounts. You can also email me at laurakgibbs@gmail.com