To get started, here is the slideshow (with cats) of the words you have seen before: it’s almost all of the words in the sayings today!
1. Aras litus.
You’re-plowing seashore.
aras litus.
The word aras, "you are plowing," is from the verb arat, the root that you see in English "arable."
The word litus is the accusative form of the neuter noun litus (accusative and nominative forms are identical). It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb.
This is one of those proverbial fool's errands: you can plow the seashore all you want, but nothing will grow there in the sand.
2. Alienum aras arvum.
You’re-plowing another-(person)’s field.
ali-E-num aras arvum.
You know all the words in this saying already!
The word arvum is the accusative form of the neuter noun arvum (accusative and nominative forms are identical). It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective alienum agrees with arvum in gender and case, neuter accusative.
2. Alienum aras arvum.
You’re-plowing another-(person)’s field.
ali-E-num aras arvum.
You know all the words in this saying already!
The word arvum is the accusative form of the neuter noun arvum (accusative and nominative forms are identical). It's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective alienum agrees with arvum in gender and case, neuter accusative.
This is also a fool's errand, but a different one: if you plow someone else's field, someone else will be benefiting from all your hard work.
3. Cum umbra pugnas.
You’re fighting with-a-shadow.
cum umbra pugnas.
You know all the words in this saying too!
The word pugnas is from the verb pugnat.
The word umbra (umbrā) is the ablative form of the noun umbra. It's in the ablative case because the preposition cum takes the ablative.
Another fool's errand, this time based on delusion: even if you "win" fighting with a shadow, you will not have accomplished anything. Compare the English saying, "tilting at windmills" (a saying inspired by Don Quixote).
4. Fugiens, animam servas.
Running-away, you-save your-life.
FU-giens, A-nimam servas.
And these words are all familiar as well!
The word servas is from the verb servat.
The word fugiens is a verbal adjective (participle), and it is in the nominative case, agreeing with the implied subject of the verb: you.
The word animam is the accusative form of the noun anima, and it's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb. Literally, the anima is the soul, but it can also mean your life: if you lose your soul, your life is forfeit too.
Compare the English saying, "He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day."
5. Sisyphium portas saxum.
You’re-carrying (a) Sisyphean rock.
Si-SY-phium portas saxum.
The word portas, "you are carrying," is from the verb portat, the root that you see in English "portable."
The word saxum is the accusative form of the neuter noun saxum, and it's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective Sisyphium agrees with saxum in gender and case, neuter accusative.
5. Sisyphium portas saxum.
You’re-carrying (a) Sisyphean rock.
Si-SY-phium portas saxum.
The word portas, "you are carrying," is from the verb portat, the root that you see in English "portable."
The word saxum is the accusative form of the neuter noun saxum, and it's in the accusative case because it is the object of the verb, and the adjective Sisyphium agrees with saxum in gender and case, neuter accusative.
Remember Sisyphus? He was punished by the gods in the afterlife, condemned to roll a stone up a hill, only to have it roll down again... again... and again. So, if you are carrying the rock of Sisyphus, you are engaged in some kind of unending, futile effort.
Here's a recap:
Plus the LOLCats!
Here's a recap:
- Aras litus.
- Alienum aras arvum.
- Cum umbra pugnas.
- Fugiens, animam servas.
- Sisyphium portas saxum.
Plus the LOLCats!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are limited to Google accounts. You can also email me at laurakgibbs@gmail.com