Translating Latin: Unravelling Word Order, Horace Ode 2.4
by For beginners who are translating Latin, it is important to first find the verbs, then the subjects, then the direct objects, and leave the rest for last.
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Syntax, or word order, is a confusing topic in Latin. Because the endings of words change to indicate the usage and contextual meaning of the word, the syntax is fluid and flexible. For example, let’s look at Ode 2.4 by Horace.
In trying to help his friend to embrace his love for a slave girl, Horace presents historical heroes of the Trojan War to justify love between a master and a slave. In the first stanza, Horace says:
…Prius insolentem
serva Briseis niveo colore
movit Achillem…
The first step in translating this line is to find the verb and its subject: these are “movit” and “serva Briseis”. Next find the accusative, in this sentence the direct object. The “m” ending is a dead give away here: “Achillem…insolentem”. Thus, if we were to write the sentence in English word order (and this is an effective step when translating Latin, whether done mentally or on paper), we would have something like the following:
“Prius serva Briseis, niveo colore, movit insolentem Achillem“
(In former times, the slave girl Briseis, pale as snow, aroused the wild Achilles.)
The next lines from this poem further illustrate this point:
…movit Aiacem Telamone natum
forma captivae dominum Tecmessae…
(The beauty of the captive Tecmessa aroused Ajax, son of Telamon.)
To achieve the same result, find the subject and the verb, link them and then place the direct object after this pair. Recognize the fact that one phrase agrees with Ajax, while a different possessive construction goes with “beauty/form/shape”.
Write your answer in Latin, but force it into English word order. Leave your answer as a comment and I will check it to see if you have gotten it right.
Bona Fortuna!
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Post CommentEvelyn Moore
On April 23, 2009 at 2:40 am
Interesting work – sorry I cannot write in Latin – well put together.
Westbrook
On April 23, 2009 at 7:29 am
I had enough of Latin in school. I see no need for it anymore. I am more interested in English. I have taught it and I often offer advice in articles that I submit here and other places. I also studied French for four years. However,I would say this article should be useful for those who are interested in Latin.
Sékou diawara
On April 27, 2009 at 8:28 am
It is long time I learnt french but don’t undestand. Now I try to learn too english but it seems for me that it is very easy than French. I feel better when I learn english but why not french? I Have done lot of effort to learn french but it is very hard, are there something wrong with me?