CEN: Lesson - Translation Introduction

Translation Introduction

It's important to work on several skills to improve your translation ability. We have already practiced sight reading and reading comprehension. The next step is to attempt producing a literal Latin translation of a passage. Translation is a important tool to have in your toolkit, which will demonstrate your understanding of all the grammar covered in our course. Translation is essential to understanding the author's exact meaning within the lines of Latin text. We have already done some translation in this course, and you can expect to do more as we get into more advanced concepts.

Before you begin the next section, please download the Literal Translation Guide Links to an external site. handout. As you work on building your translation skills, this is a handy reference document.

Text Analysis

In addition to providing a literal translation, you will need to develop analytical skills when working with a Latin passage. Sometimes a question will be asked about a Latin passage. You must provide proof from the text to support your answer. In this case, you will write a short paragraph in English which includes Latin text and literal translation of that text to serve as evidence or support of your argument. Let's take a look at the sample below.

The image shows a Roman style scroll. This is the type of scroll that a letter would be written on.In the letter below Gaius Saturninus invites a friend to dinner. Using the Latin text below as support (including your English translation), describe Gaius's hospitality towards his friends. Write a short paragraph.

Gaius Saturninus Decimo s.d.
Si vales, bene est; ego valeo. Es bonus vir et amicus Flaviae; sic es meus amicus. Cenabisne, Decime, bene mecum ad Villam Fauni? Cras bonum atque magnam cenam cum amicis habebo. Te invito. Erunt cibus et vinum et poetae et musica. Cena non erit sine puellis pulchris et vino et sale et cachinnis. Cassia Flaviam quoque invitavit. Meum triclinium cum amicis familiae complebo. Da statim servo meo responsum.
Noli esse tardus! Ave et vale.

We can gather that Gaius has invited Decimus to dine with him. Look through the text and select phrases and sentences that would describe Gaius' hospitality. It is important that you refrain from simply listing vocabulary words. Rather select phrases and sentences that will demonstrate your ability to literally translate Latin.

Select Latin Phrases From the Passage

  • Cenabisne, Decime, bene mecum ad villam Fauni?
  • Cras bonam atque magnam cenam cum amicis habebo.
  • Erunt cibus et vinum et poetae et musica.
  • Cena non erit sine puellis pulchris et vino et sale et cachinnis.
  • Meum triclinium cum amicis familiae complebo.

The phrases and sentences above demonstrate Gaius's hospitality by suggesting that:

  1. he is planning a wonderful dinner banquet
  2. the banquet will be entertaining
  3. he has invited his closest friends.

Write The Paragraph

Now write your paragraph in English and include the Latin support where appropriate. For example:

Gaius announces in his letter to Decimus that he is planning a grand party and that the event is reserved for the best of friends. He says "tomorrow I shall have a good and great dinner with friends" (Latin support: Cras bonam atque magnam cenam cum amicis habebo). Gaius goes on to include Decimus by asking "will you dine well with me, Decimus?" (Latin support: Cenabisne, Decime, bene mecum?). Clearly Decimus is considered a close friend and comrade of Gaius to have received such an invitation...et cetera.

Please notice that the paragraph:

  1. Does not simply translate the entire Latin letter. The writer argues that Gaius's invitation suggests a strong friendship between Gaius and Decimus.
  2. Does not simply paraphrase the Latin text. Literal and accurate translations of the Latin are provided with the Latin phrases/sentences following directly after.
  3. Does not go off topic. Be sure to keep your analysis concise. Plan for 3-4 strong supporting phrases that will provide a better argument than a lengthy, less structured essay. The grader does not need to know every detail from the passage.

Triclinium image courtesy of Vroma Links to an external site..