Explanation of bad translation of Latin Mottoes on Sundials.

Stanislaus B. · 30 Mar 2009, 20:00 · from 2009-March.txt.gz

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From: sbocian at poczta.fm (Stanislaus B.)
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:56 +0200
Subject: (urth) Explanation of bad translation of Latin Mottoes on Sundials.
Message-ID: <63812447.20090330220056 at poczta.fm>

The explanation of bad translations of Latin Mottoes on Sundials:

Apparently, it is customary to paraphrase such mottoes, not to
translate them correctly:

See: A book of sundial mottoes (1903) by Alfred Hyatt:
http://www.archive.org/details/bookofsundialmot00hyatuoft

"In compiling this Book of Mottoes, the translations in the
majority of cases appear as given in the books consulted, 
These volumes, which represent a delightful branch of garden 
literature, range from John Wells' "Sciographia, or the Art
of Shadoews" (1635), to Mrs. Alice Morse Earle's recently
published "Sundials and Roses of Yesterday."

It will be seen that in many instances the English renderings
 of the inscriptions are free and often fanciful."

Aliis inserviendo consumor.
My loss is your gain.

Ars longa, vita brevis.
I die today, and live tomorrow.

Avaritia hodie dominatur.
You covet tomorrow.

Dies diem trudit.
A day kicks me down.

Dum spectas fugio.
Unsight, unseen.

En supra vita fugax
En infra certa mors.
A life on flight's, soon out of sight.

Ex hoc momento pendet aeternitas.
Now, or never.

-- 
Best regards,
Stanislaus B.

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