Sep 6, 2000 17:07
23 yrs ago
Latin term
Courtney
natales grate numeras
Non-PRO
Latin to English
Other
This was a question sent to me by a friend...I haven't a clue to the meaning
Proposed translations
(English)
| 0 | Grow old gracefully. |
Wigtil (X)
|
| 0 | Number willingly (your) birthdays |
Dr Claudio De Marchi
|
Proposed translations
1 day 21 hrs
Wigtil (X)
Wigtil (X)
PhD; InfoTech; Med; OldGmn handwriting
Works in: Latin to English, Spanish to English, Greek (Ancient) to English, and 2 more.
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Related KudoZ points
:
67
Selected
Grow old gracefully.
The best rendition is: "Grow old gracefully."
Yes indeed, the literal meaning is in fact, "Number your birthdays willingly." HOWEVER...
With proverbial sayings like this one, it is far better to find a close proverb in the target language, if possible, rather than a literal translation. "GROW OLD GRACEFULLY" is the best selection for three reasons:
1) The Latin saying alliterates two of its three words, with the initial N sound. The equivalent English proverb also alliterates two of its three words, on the initial GR consonant cluster.
2) The English saying includes a word ("gracefully) derived from a Latin root ("grat-") that actually occurs in the source text. This is generally a happy coincidence, when a translation can actually re-use a bit of the original without irritating target-language listeners.
3) The English proverb is completely nativized, that is, none of the words or the grammatical features are perceived as odd, and the proverb itself is well-worn, like a comfortable shoe.
Enjoy!
Yes indeed, the literal meaning is in fact, "Number your birthdays willingly." HOWEVER...
With proverbial sayings like this one, it is far better to find a close proverb in the target language, if possible, rather than a literal translation. "GROW OLD GRACEFULLY" is the best selection for three reasons:
1) The Latin saying alliterates two of its three words, with the initial N sound. The equivalent English proverb also alliterates two of its three words, on the initial GR consonant cluster.
2) The English saying includes a word ("gracefully) derived from a Latin root ("grat-") that actually occurs in the source text. This is generally a happy coincidence, when a translation can actually re-use a bit of the original without irritating target-language listeners.
3) The English proverb is completely nativized, that is, none of the words or the grammatical features are perceived as odd, and the proverb itself is well-worn, like a comfortable shoe.
Enjoy!
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you so much, my friend laughed when I told him other answer which was proposed. You hit the nail on the head, I think he'll be impressed."
38 mins
Dr Claudio De Marchi
Specialist in IT, Internet, Courseware
Native in: Italian (Variant: Swiss ) 
Works in: English to Italian, French to Italian, Latin to English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Number willingly (your) birthdays
That means:
don't mind if you become older and older (don't worry, be happy, as the song says...)
It's a motto Latins were used to say for "Happy birthday"
Also found as NGN
SVBEEV
Latin greetings (Si vales, bene est, ego valeo=If you're all right, that's good. I'm fine)
don't mind if you become older and older (don't worry, be happy, as the song says...)
It's a motto Latins were used to say for "Happy birthday"
Also found as NGN
SVBEEV
Latin greetings (Si vales, bene est, ego valeo=If you're all right, that's good. I'm fine)
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