GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | ||||
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14:17 Jun 19, 2012 |
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Latin to English translations [Non-PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Joseph Brazauskas United States Local time: 06:32 | ||||||
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Summary of answers provided | ||||
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5 +1 | Always to believe, never to surrender |
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3 +1 | it depends on... |
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Always to believe, never to surrender Explanation: This is what it means literally, as it stands in the Latin. There is no intrinsic semantic difference between 'se' and 'sese', both being standard classical forms of the 3rd person reflexive pronoun. The choice depends, as it depends in Cicero and in other authors who pay attention to euphony, upon the stylistic effect (the rhythm) at which one is aiming. On the other hand, in the best Latin 'se(se) dedere' is primarily a military term and is thus closer in meaning to English 'surrender' than to 'give up', which latter has a host of connotations, often personal, which are generally wanting in the Latin phrase. 'Deponere' ('to give up', e.g., give up hope, give up on some attempt) is probably a more appropriate rendering. |
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it depends on... Explanation: ...how "authentic" you want to be. There is quite a bit of discussion on Google regarding the use of "never give up" in Latin. I would not use the infinitives, but if it is to be a motto (or even a tattoo) the choice of letters or the parallel structure may be a factor. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 10 hrs (2012-06-20 01:10:00 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Never surrender, give up, despair... |
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