Dominus Anulorum: The LOTR into Latin Project!

Update- September 3rd, 2011

2011-09-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

I do not think I will be able to complete the first chapter before school begins in a few days. A shame really, but I got caught up in certain matters that I had to take care of (and still am!). I am going to try and finish up the section with the hobbits conversing in the inn before Wednesday. Here's the new bit, including some corrections made to the previous sections (gratias Civi Europae!):

Cum Magister Bilbo Bursonus qui habitabat Bursae Imae nuntiavit se breviter centesimum et undecimum diem sui natalis convivio magnificentiae egregiae celebraturum esse, erat multa fama et commotio in Hobbitovico.

Bilbo erat perdives et insolitissimus, et annos sexaginta fuerat spectaculum Pagi, tempore quo notabiliter e conspectu aberat et insperatum rederat. Divitae quae is rettulerat itineribus suis iam factae erant fabulam Pagi, et id creditum est, neglegens illa quae senes dicant, populariter ab multo populi Pagi Collem Bursae Imae cuniculos fartos divitis habuisse. Et si illud erat non satis fama, erat quoque suus prorogatus vigor spectare. Tempus extendit, et videtur id multo non affecisse de Bilbone. Annis nonaginta aetatis similis erat quam fuerat annis quinquaginta aetatis. Annis nonaginta et novem aetatis inceperunt vocare eum conservatum bene; sed non immutatus verius verbum dictu esset. Erant aliqui qui sua caputa quasserunt et cogitaverunt hoc nimium esse; id videtur iniustum aliquem iuventutem sempiternam (specie) et quoque divitas infinitas (per famam) tenturum esse.

“Id solvendum erit!” dixerunt. “Id est non naturale, et molesta venient propter id!”

Sed illo tempore molesta non adhuc venerat; et quoniam Magister Bursonus suam pecuniam aliis benigne dedit, plurimi homines volebant condonare novitatem suam et divitas bonas suas propter hoc. Is suos propinquos interviseat (praeter Bursoni ex Sackvilla) habuit homines studiosos multos qui eum admirati sunt inter hobbites familiarium pauperium et levium. Sed is familiares nullos habuit, donec aliqui patruelium et consobrinorum invenium suorum inceperunt adolescere.

Veterrimus eorum, et carissimus Bilboni, erat adolescens Frodo Bursonus. Cum Bilbo erat nonaginta et novem anni aetatis is fecit Frodonem suum heredem, et is tulit eum ad Bursam Imam ad vivendum ibi; et propter hoc spes Bursonorum ex Sackvilla ad inritum redacti sunt tandem.

Accidit ut Bilbo et Frodo quoque nati erant die eodem, qui erat alter et vicesimus dies mensis Septembris. “Debes venire et habitare hic, Frodo mi puer,” Bilbo dixerat ei die uno, “et tum poterimus celebratare diem nostrorum natlium commode inter nos.” Tunc Frodo erat etiam tweenus, verbum quo hobbites vocaverunt aetates immaturas inter pueritiam aetate annorum viginti et aditum in puberitatem aetate annorum triginta tres.

Duodecim anni transierunt. Per annum omnem Bursoni convivia acerrima mixta ad tempus diei natalium suorum Bursae Imae celebraverat; sed nunc intellebatur aliquid eximius autumno illi advenienti excogitari. Bilbo anni centum et undecim aetatis futurus erat, CXI, numerus attractivior, et aetas honestissima hobbito (Tuccus Vetus ipse solum aetate annorum centum et triginta mortuus erat); et Frodo anni triginta et tres aetatis futurus erat, XXXIII, numerus sonticus: is erat dies quo is in pubertatem ingrediatur.

Rumores per Hobbitovicum et Iustaquam inceperunt spargere; et rumor de convivio advenienti Pagum totum perlustravit. Res gestae et indoles Magistri Bilbonis Bursoni rursum factae sunt primus res in sermone; et homines vetiores subito invenerunt multos recordiationes suos laete velle audire.

Nemo habuit auditores attentiores quam Vetus Hammus Gamsio, qui vocabatur Vetulum ab multis. Is mansit Fruticis Haderae, tabernae parvae in Via Iustaqua; et habuit auctoritatem aliquam cum dicebat, nam curaverat hortum Bursae Imae annos quadraginta, et adiuverat Veterem Cavivirum arte eadem ante. Sed quod is incepiebat fieri vetus et sui artus incipiebant fieri rigidi, opus extendebatur fere ab adolescentissimo filio, Same Gamsione. Et pater et filius usi sunt familiariter Bilbone et Frodone. Habitaverunt in Colle ipso, in Bursamisso Ordone numero tres signatis solummodo infra Bursam Imam.

“Suavissimus eloquentissimus generosus-hobbitus est Magister Bilbo, ut semper dixi,” Vetulus declaravit. Verrime: nam Bilbo dixit urbanissime ei, vocans eum ‘Magistrum Hamfastum’, et consultans eum semper de cultu holerum – de re cultus ‘stirpum’, maxime de patatis, Vetulus noscebatur ut primum auctorem ab omnibus in vicinia (et quoque ab ipso).

“Sed hic Frodo qui habitat secum?” Nocus Senex ex Iustaqua rogavit, “Bursonus est suus nomen, sed plus quam dimidia sui sanguinis est ex Brandicapris, dicitur. Nescio quare aliqui Bursonus ex Hobbitovico eat ad quaerendum uxorem longe in Capriterram, ubi homines sunt insolitissimi.”

“Et non est miraculum eos insolitos esse.” addidit Tatula Bipes (vicinus Vetuli), “si habitant in ripa prava Fluminis Brandivini, et sub Silvam Veterem, quae est locus obscurus malus, si dimidia fabularum sit vera.”

“Dicis vere, Tata!”dixit Vetulus. “Non est ut si Brandicapri ex Capriterra habitant in Silva Vetere; sed sunt genus insolitum, ut videtur. Conludunt ratibus in illo magno flumene - et illud non est naturale. Non est miraculum molesta propter id venisse, dico. Utcumque res ceciderit, Magister Frodo est tam lepidus quam velis offendere adolescenti hobbito. Est simillimus Magistro Bilboni, et non solum specie. Denique suus pater erat Bursonus. Decens respectabilis hobbitus erat Magister Drogo Bursonus; erat numquam multum narrare de eo, quoad mersitit."

“Mersitit?” dixit complures voces. Audiverant hoc et alios obscuriores rumores prius, quippe; sed hobbiti adamant historias de familis, et desiderabant audire ea rursum.

“Em, ita aiunt,” dixit Vetulus, “Ecce: Magister Drogo, is nupsit miseram Magistram Primulam Brandicaprum. Ea fuit prima consobrina nostri Magistri Bilbonis (sua mater fuit iuvenissima filiarum Veteris Tucci); et Magister Drogo fuit suus secundus consobrinus. Sic Magister Frodo est suus primus et secundus consobrinus, remotus semel utroque modo, sicut dicunt, si me sentitis. Et Magister Drogo habitabat in Brandivini Villa cum suo socero, sene Magistro Gorbadoco, sicut fecit saepe post suum matrimonium (amavit suos cibos, et senex Gorbadocus paravit convivium munificissimum); et is naviculatus est in Flumine Brandivino; et is ac uxor merseruntunt, et miser Magister Frodo tantum infans et omnia.”

“Ego audivi eos in aqua post cenam in lumine lunae ire,” dixit Nocus Senex, “et ponderem Drogonis esse quod ratem demersit.”

“Et ego audivi eum eam in aquam perculisse, et eum eam post eum traxisse,” dixit Rufus, molinarius Hobbitovici.

“Tu non debes credere omnia quae audis, Rufe.” dixit Vetulus, qui non amat multum molinarium. “Est non causa loqui de percellendo et trahendo. Rates sunt laboriosae illis qui sedent immoti et non pergunt quaerere molesta. Qualibet: erat hic Magister Frodo orbus et relictus, ut dicat, inter quos insolitos Capriterranos, educabatur utique in Brandivini Villa. Tam frequentissima quam leporarium, dicitur. Erant numquam minor quam ducenti propinqui seni Magistri Gorbadoci in loco. Magister Bilbo numquam egit beneficentius factum quam cum retulit puerum ad vivendum inter decentes homines.

“Sed ego suspicor id amarum offensum istis Bursonis ex Saccavilla esse. Ei cogitabant eos Bursam Imam adquireturos esse, cum is abscessit et cogitabatur eum mortum esse.Et tunc, is redit et abigit, et pergit vivere et vivere, et suus aspectus est numquam vetustior diem, di eum ament! Et subito is heredem exhibet et facit ut omnia documenta bene scribantur. Bursoni ex Saccavilla numquam non videbunt in Bursam Imam nunc, aut non speretur.”

Update- July 22

2011-07-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't updated in a while- I've been sick or working. At any rate, here is the first half of the Gaffer's "speech" that I've been working on with some revised bits from the previous sections I've posted:

“Mersitit?” dixit complures voces. Audiverant hoc et alios obscuriores rumores prius, quippe; sed hobbiti adamant historias de familis, et desideraverunt audire ea rursum.

“Em, ita aiunt,” dixit Vetulus, “Ecce: Magister Drogo, is nupsit miseram Magistram Primulam Brandicaprum. Ea fuit prima consobrina nostri Magistri Bilbonis (sua mater fuit iuvenissima filiarum Veti Tucci); et Magister Drogo fuit suus secundus consobrinus. Sic Magister Frodo est suus primus et secundus consobrinus, remotus semel utroque modo, sicut dicunt, si me sentitis. Et Magister Drogo habitabat in Brandivini Villa cum suo socero, sene Magistro Gorbadoco, sicut fecit saepe post suum matrimonium (amavit suos cibos, et senex Gorbadocus paravit convivium munificissimum); et is naviculatus est in Flumine Brandivino; et is ac uxor merseruntunt, et miser Magister Frodo tantum infans et omnia.”

“Ego audivi eos in aqua post cenam in lumine lunae ire,” dixit Nocus Senex, “et ponderem Drogonis esse quod ratem demersit.”

“Et ego audivi eum eam in aquam perculisse, et eum eam post eum traxisse,” dixit Rufus, molinarius Hobbitovici.

“Tu non debes credere omnia quae audis, Rufe.” dixit Vetulus, qui non amat multum molinarium. “Est non causa loqui de percellendo et trahendo. Rates sunt laboriosae illis qui sedent immoti et non pergunt quaerere molesta. Qualibet: erat hic Magister Frodo orbus et relictus, ut dicat, inter quos insolitos Capriterranos, educabatur utique in Brandivini Villa. Tam frequentissima quam leporarium, dicitur. Erant numquam minor quam ducenti propinqui seni Magistri Gorbadoci in loco. Magister Bilbo numquam egit beneficentius factum quam cum retulit puerum ad vivendum inter decentes homines.

More to come, my hope is to have the first chapter done before school hits! Let's see if I hold to it!!!

Update: June 7th

2011-06-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

“Et ego audivi eum eam in aquam perculisse, et eum eam post eum traxisse,” dixit Rufus, molinarius Hobbitovici.

“Tu non debes auscultare omnia quae audis, Rufe.” dixit Vetulus, qui non amat multum molinarium.

The Gaffer has more to say, but it'll take me a bit, it's fairly big. Probably no update tommorow, as I'm spending time with my fiance. You should all hear from me by Wednesday :)

Mike

a small update for today

2011-06-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

Only a line for today, but I'm trying to keep with my promise of updating and translating every day. Apparently Frodo's Dad (Drogo) was pretty fat:

“Ego audivi eos in aqua post cenam in lumine lunae ire,” dixit Nocus Senex, “et ponderem Drogonis esse quod ratem demersit.”

Mike

A small update, and yes, it's still going!

2011-06-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello hello, everybody! I know I have not updated since last year, and much has happened since. For one, my translation stopped for a while because I was taking German, which took up most of my time. Secondly, I'm getting married, so you know, that has an effect on things :D Nevertheless, this project is NOT DEAD! Ne timeas! Here is a small new bit from chapter one since we last left off, with a few things I've revised. Enjoy! I'll be translating a bit each night, it's summer now, and I hope to update as often as I can, maybe even a fabled paragraph a day! So, here you go:

Caput Primum

CONVIVIUM EXSPECTATUM DIU

Cum Magister Bilbo Bursonus qui habitabat Bursae Imae nuntiavit eum breviter centesimum et undecimum diem sui natalis convivio magnificentiae egregiae celebraturum esse, erat multa fama et commotio in Hobbitovico.

Bilbo erat perdives et insolitissimus, et annos sexaginta fuerat spectaculum Pagi, tempore quo notabiliter e conspectu aberat et insperatum rederat. Divitae quae is rettulerat itineribus suis iam factae erant fabulam Pagi, et id creditum est, neglegens illa quae seneces dicant, populariter ab multo populi Pagi Collem Bursae Imae cuniculos fartos divitis habuisse. Et si illud erat non satis fama, erat quoque suus prorogatus vigor spectare. Tempus extendit, et videtur id multo non affecisse de Bilbone. Annis nonaginta aetatis similis erat quam fuerat annis quinquaginta aetatis. Annis nonaginta et novem aetatis inceperunt vocare eum conservatum bene; sed non immutatus verius verbum dictu esset. Erant aliqui qui sua caputa quasserunt et cogitaverunt hoc nimium esse; id videtur iniustum aliquem iuventutem sempiternam (specie) et quoque divitas infinitas (per famam) tenturum esse.

“Id solvendum erit!” dixerunt. “Id est non naturale, et molesta venient propter id!”

Sed illo tempore molesta non adhuc venerat; et quoniam Magister Bursonus suam pecuniam aliis benigne dedit, plurimi homines volebant condonare novitatem suam et divitas bonas suas propter hoc. Is suos propinquos interviseat (praeter Bursoni ex Sackvilla) habuit homines studiosos multos qui eum admirati sunt inter hobbites familiarium pauperium et levium. Sed is familiares nullos habuit, donec aliqui patruelium et consobrinorum invenium suorum inceperunt adolescere.

Veterrimus eorum, et carissimus Bilboni, erat adolescens Frodo Bursonus. Cum Bilbo erat nonaginta et novem anni aetatis is fecit Frodonem suum heredem, et is tulit eum ad Bursam Imam ad vivendum ibi; et propter hoc spes Bursonorum ex Sackvilla ad inritum redacti sunt tandem.

Accidit ut Bilbo et Frodo quoque nati erant die eodem, qui erat alter et vicesimus dies mensis Septembris. “Debes venire et habitare hic, Frodo mi puer,” Bilbo dixerat ei die uno, “et tum poterimus celebratare diem nostrorum natlium commode inter nos.” Tunc Frodo erat etiam tweenus, verbum quo hobbites vocaverunt aetates immaturas inter pueritiam aetate annorum viginti et aditum in puberitatem aetate annorum triginta tres.

Duodecim anni transierunt. Per annum omnem Bursoni convivia acerrima mixta ad tempus diei natalium suorum Bursae Imae celebraverat; sed nunc intellebatur aliquid eximius autumno illi advenienti excogitari. Bilbo anni centum et undecim aetatis futurus erat, CXI, numerus attractivior, et aetas honestissima hobbito (Tuccus Vetus ipse solum aetate annorum centum et triginta mortuus erat); et Frodo anni triginta et tres aetatis futurus erat, XXXIII, numerus sonticus: id erat dies quo is in pubertatem ingrediatur.

Rumores per Hobbitovicum et Iustaquam inceperunt spargere; et rumor de convivio advenienti Pagum totum perlustravit. Res gestae et indoles Magistri Bilbonis Bursoni rursum factae sunt primus res in sermone; et homines vetiores subito invenerunt multos recordiationes suos laete velle audire.

Nemo habuit auditores attentiores quam Vetus Hammus Gamsio, qui vocabatur Vetulum ab multis. Is mansit Fruticis Haderae, tabernae parvae in Via Iustaqua; et habuit auctoritatem aliquam cum dicebat, nam curaverat hortum Bursae Imae annos quadraginta, et adiuverat Veterem Cavivirum arte eadem ante. Sed quod is incepiebat fieri vetus et sui artus incipiebant fieri rigidi, opus extendebatur fere ab adolescentissimo filio, Same Gamsione. Et pater et filius usi sunt familiariter Bilbone et Frodone. Habitaverunt in Colle ipso, in Bursamisso Ordone numero tres signatis solummodo infra Bursam Imam.

“Suavissimus eloquentissimus generosus-hobbitus est Magister Bilbo, ut semper dixi,” Vetulus declaravit. Verrime: nam Bilbo dixit urbanissime ei, vocans eum ‘Magistrum Hamfastum’, et consultans eum semper de cultu holerum – de re cultus ‘stirpum’, maxime de patatis, Vetulus noscebatur ut primum auctorem ab omnibus in vicinia (et quoque ab ipso).

“Sed hic Frodo qui habitat secum?” Nocus Vetus ex Iustaqua rogavit, “Bursonus est suus nomen, sed plus quam dimidia sui sanguinis est ex Brandicapris, dicitur. Nescio quare aliqui Bursonus ex Hobbitovico eat ad quaerendum uxorem longe in Capriterram, ubi homines sunt insolitissimi.”

“Et non est miraculum eos insolitos esse.” addidit Tatula Bipes (vicinus Vetuli), “si habitant in ripa prava Fluminis Brandivini, et sub Silvam Veterem, quae est locus obscurus malus, si dimidia fabularum sit vera.”

“Dicis vere, Tata!” dixit Vetulus. “Non est ut si Brandicapri ex Capriterra habitant in Silva Vetere; sed sunt genus insolitum, ut videtur. Conludunt ratibus in illo magno flumene - et illud non est naturale. Non est miraculum molesta propter id venisse, dico. Utcumque res ceciderit, Magister Frodo est tam lepidus quam velis offendere adolescenti hobbito. Est simillimus Magistro Bilboni, et non solum specie. Denique suus pater erat Bursonus. Decens respectabilis hobbitus erat Magister Drogo Bursonus; erat numquam multum narrare de eo, quoad mersitit."

“Mersitit?” dixit complures voces. Audiverant hoc et alios obscuriores rumores prius, quippe; sed hobbiti adamant historias de familis, et desidervaerunt audire ea rursum.

“Em, ita aiunt,” dixit Vetulus, “Ecce: Magister Drogo, is nupsit miseram Magistram Primulam Brandicaprum. Ea fuit prima consobrina nostri Magistri Bilbonis (sua mater fuit iuvenissima filiarum Veti Tucci); et Magister Drogo fuit suus secundus consobrinus. Sic Magister Frodo est suus primus et secundus consobrinus, remotus semel utroque modo, sicut dicunt, si me sentitis. Et Magister Drogo habitabat in Brandivini Villa cum suo socero, sene Magistro Gorbadoco, sicut fecit saepe post suum matrimonium (amavit suos cibos, et senex Gorbadocus paravit convivium munificissimum); et is naviculatus est in Flumine Brandivino; et is ac uxor merseruntunt, et miser Magister Frodo tantum infans et omnia.”

You will notice something funny about the perfect forms for mergere: I've butchered them on purpose. The hobbits in LOTR tend to have a very... rural way of speaking, shall we say. Tolkien's text reads 'drownded' where it should say drowned. So in keeping with proper hobbitisms (can we make that an actual word now?), I thought I might do something unorthodox and try doubling the sound at the end of the verb form, hence mersitit and merseruntunt. I've made notes in the glossa to translate them as 'drownded'. I'm think of doing something similar for Gollum's dialogue when the time finally arrives. Untraditional I know, but I think I like the idea overall. So, enjoy! You'll likely hear from me either tommorow or on Monday, as it's supposed to rain then! Take care, and I hope you're all still following along!

Mike

The Ring Poem- REVISED

2010-09-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

So I am only a few days late with this, but this time I actually have a valid reason: I've been sick with a nasty cold which prevented me from completing my revisions sooner. Anyways, here, finally, is the revised Ring Poem:

Tres Anuli sub caelo Regibus Elbicis
Septem Dominis Nanis in hypogeis ex saxo,
Novem moriendum Mortalibus damnatis,
Unus Domino Atro qui sedet in solio atro
In Terra Mordore operta Umbris
Unus Anulus eos omnes regendos, Unus Anulus eos inveniendos,
Unus Anulus eos omnes conferendos et in tenebris vinciendos
In Terra Mordore operta Umbris

You will notice that I have done several things this time round:

1) I finally gave in and made the infinitives gerundives

2) I realized that there is a rhyming scheme to the original english (namely in the first half its ABABA format, dont know what the proper term for it is, was never very good with poetry), I've tried to replicate it in the first half of the poem. I find the second half works better with putting the gerundives at the end and having them rhyme with each other in Latin.

And now I must acknowledge where I have stolen from (read: taken influence from :P):

1) I went back to Earendilyon's (the man who originally started translating LOTR into Latin) original translation and realized I had made a mistake by having Mordor in the genitive when it should have been in the ablative. This has now been corrected. Also, for the second half, you will notice that eos omnes and eos alternates, just like in the english. This was also taken from Earendilyon's translation of the poem, as well as the use of the gerund in line 3. I should also like to point out that his influence can be seen in parts of my translation for page two of FOTR which I posted earlier this week. I think in fact that he may be aware of this project, and I really do hope that he is okay with my translating anew and blatant borrowing/stealing/taking influence from his original work.

2) I would like to personally thank my friend Thomas Volpius from the SCHOLA online community, who allowed me to use his translation of the poem. Thomas' influence can be seen most clearly in lines 1-5 and line 8. Although in lines 1 and 2 I did not use the exact words he used, they did inspire me to look for others. Thomas' poem originally uses Regibus Elborum for the elves where as I decided to create the adjective Elbicus, a, um to use. In my opinion using the adjective is a little bit closer to the original BUT Thomas has infact helped to solve the debate on what word to use for elf. Originally I was going to use Eldar, -is, but now I think I will keep this just for the mention of the Eldar in the text. Elbicus, a , um, will be used for something that is Elven, and Thomas' word Elbus (which is really quite clever considering that word elf is related to the latin Albus) will be the word used for elf. Thomas' use of cryptoporticibus in the second line was a little bit too unwieldy for the flow of the poem but it did get the correct connotation of the underground hall. It inspired me to find something similar: cryptogeum, an underground chamber or room, which I've made a note of in the glossary to translate as hall for the purposes of the poem. At any rate, much credit and thanks goes out to Thomas for allowing me to use his translation.

Also, if you haven't already, PLEASE have a look at the revised translation of page one and the new translation of page two. I fear that due to my absence some of you have decided to jump ship as it were. I hope not.

Mike

The Second Page is up!

2010-09-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I hope all fourteen of you are still following this project, I apologize for my taking so long in regards to updating!! BUT, I have good news! The second page of Chapter One of FOTR is DONE!!! And this time it only took me two months instead of a year :P Now that I have returned to university (I unfortunately did not graduate, I really do not want to get into it right now...) and have switched my focus completely from Biblical Studies to Latin, I have committed my self to working on the translation a couple of hours each night. Here is a revised page one and the new page two, complete with an updated glossary (check the original glossary post for that, I will be constantly revising it as I go). Expect a revised version of the Ring Poem to appear either Monday or Tuesday evening and this time I promise I will come through. Enjoy, and please, comment and persevere with me! I do appreciate the help all of you have been giving!

Mike

CONVIVIUM EXSPECTATUM DIU

Cum Magister Bilbo Bursonus qui habitabat Bursae Imae nuntiavit eum breviter centesimum et undecimum diem sui natalis convivio magnificentiae egregiae celebraturum esse, erat multa fama et commotio in Hobbitovico.

Bilbo erat perdives et insolitissimus, et annos sexaginta fuerat spectaculum Pagi, tempore quo notabiliter e conspectu aberat et insperatum rederat. Divitae quae is rettulerat itineribus suis iam factae erant fabulam Pagi, et id creditum est, neglegens illa quae seneces dicant, populariter ab multo populi Pagi Collem Bursae Imae cuniculos fartos divitis habuisse. Et si illud erat non satis fama, erat quoque suus prorogatus vigor spectare. Tempus extendit, et videtur id multo non affecisse de Bilbone. Annis nonaginta aetatis similis erat quam fuerat annis quinquaginta aetatis. Annis nonaginta et novem aetatis inceperunt vocare eum conservatum bene; sed non immutatus verius verbum dictu esset. Erant aliqui qui sua caputa quasserunt et cogitaverunt hoc nimium esse; id videtur iniustum aliquem iuventutem sempiternam (specie) et quoque divitas infinitas (per famam) tenturum esse.

“Id solvendum erit!” dixerunt. “Id est non naturale, et molesta venient propter id!”

Sed illo tempore molesta non adhuc venerat; et quoniam Magister Bursonus suam pecuniam aliis benigne dedit, plurimi homines volebant condonare novitatem suam et divitas bonas suas propter hoc. Is suos propinquos interviseat (praeter Bursoni ex Sackvilla) habuit homines studiosos multos qui eum admirati sunt inter hobbites familiarium pauperium et levium. Sed is familiares nullos habuit, donec aliqui patruelium invenium suorum inceperunt adolescere.

Veterrimus quorum patruelium, et carissimus Bilboni, erat adolescens Frodo Bursonus. Cum Bilbo erat nonaginta et novem anni aetatis is fecit Frodonem suum heredem, et is tulit eum ad Bursam Imam ad vivendum ibi; et propter hoc spes Bursonorum ex Sackvilla ad inritum redacti sunt tandem.

Accidit ut Bilbo et Frodo quoque nati erant die eodem, qui erat alter et vicesimus dies mensis Septembris. “Debes venire et habitare hic, Frodo mi puere,” Bilbo dixerat ei die uno, “et tum poterimus celebratare diem nostrorum natlium commode inter nos.” Tunc Frodo erat etiam tweenus, verbum quo hobbites vocaverunt aetates immaturas inter pueritiam aetate annorum viginti et aditum in puberitatem aetate annorum triginta tres.

Duodecim anni transierunt. Per annum omnem Bursoni convivia acerrima mixta ad tempus diei natalium suorum Bursae Imae celebraverat; sed nunc intellebatur aliquid eximius autumno illi advenienti excogitari. Bilbo anni centum et undecim aetatis futurus erat, CXI, numerus attractivior, et aetas honestissima hobbito (Tuccus Vetus ipse solum aetate annorum centum et triginta mortuus erat); et Frodo anni triginta et tres aetatis futurus erat, XXXIII, numerus sonticus: id erat dies quo is in pubertatem ingrediatur.

Rumores per Hobbitovicum et Iustaquam inceperunt spargere; et rumor de convivio advenienti Pagum totum perlustravit. Res gestae et indoles Magistri Bilbonis Bursoni rursum factae sunt primus res in sermone; et homines vetiores subito invenerunt multos recordiationes suos laete velle audire.

Nemo habuit auditores attentiores quam Vetus Hammus Gamsio, qui vocabatur Vetulum ab multis. Is mansit Fruticis Haderae, tabernae parvae in Via Iustaqua; et habuit auctoritatem aliquam cum dicebat, nam curaverat hortum Bursae Imae annos quadraginta, et adiuverat Veterem Cavivirum arte eadem ante. Sed quod is incepiebat fieri vetus et sui artus incipiebant fieri rigidi, opus extendebatur fere ab adolescentissimo filio, Sammo Gamsione. Et pater et filius usi sunt familiariter Bilbone et Frodone. Habitaverunt in Colle ipso, in Peramisso Ordone numero tres signatis solummodo infra Bursam Imam.

“Suavissimus eloquentissimus generosus-hobbitus est Magister Bilbo, ut semper dixi,” Vetulus declaravit. Verrime: nam Bilbo dixit urbanissime ei, vocans eum ‘Magistrum Hamfastum’, et consultans eum semper de cultu holerum – de re cultus ‘stirpum’, maxime de patatis, Vetulus noscebatur ut primum auctorem ab omnibus in vicinia (et quoque ab ipso).

“Sed hic Frodo qui habitat secum?” Nocus Vetus ex Iustaqua rogavit, “Bursonus est suus nomen, sed plus quam dimidia sui sanguinis est ex Brandicapris, dicitur. Nescio quare aliqui Bursonus ex Hobbitovico eat ad quaerendum uxorem longe in Capriterram, ubi homines sunt insolitissimi.”

“Et non est miraculum eos insolitos esse.” addidit Tatula Bipes (vicinus Vetuli), “si habitant in ripa prava Fluminis Brandivini, et sub Silvam Veterem, quae est locus obscurus malus, si dimidia fabularum sit vera.”

“Dicis vere, Tata!”dixit Vetulus. “Non est ut si Brandicapres ex Capriterra habitant in Silva Vetere; sed sunt genus insolitum, ut videtur. Conludunt ratibus in illo magno flumene - et illud non est naturale. Non est miraculum molesta propter id venisse, dico. Utcumque res ceciderit, Magister Frodo est tam lepidus quam velis offendere adolescenti hobbito. Est simillimus Magistri Bilboni, et non solum specie. Denique suus pater erat Bursonus. Decens respectabilis hobbitus erat Magister Drogo Bursonus; erat numquam multum narrare de eo, quoad mersit."

Update Time!

2010-05-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, sorry I haven't posted since January! My course work at the University took up all my time, and I am in fact graduating (finally!) with my BA in Humanities! As far as translating goes, my goal for the summer is to have all of chapter one translated by the end of it.

Also, I have made modifications and changes to the glossary, the ring poem and the first page of chapter one. I would very much like everyone's feedback on this. I know that a couple of the lines in the poem are still clunky, but I couldn't find another word to replace tenebricosus. Obscurus came close but it didn't have the connotations that tenebricosus has. So it will have to stay since it fits Sauron so well :P

Oh, there's also a search engine at the top of the page so you can now search the blog for stuff. I hope it helps! I'm currently working on page two of chapter one, and I'll update again when I have it done (hopefully in a week, don't quote me on that though!). Take care, and please comment, I know it's been months since I posted but I hope that most of you are still around for discussion. Valete vobis!

Mike

Some thoughts concerning translation

2010-01-24T12:18:00.001-08:00

First thing’s first, I’m really glad to see people commenting on the translation and making suggestions. I don’t necessarily agree with all of them, but a couple important issues have arisen which I’d like to turn to.

The first is regarding the words for elf and dwarf. The suggestion has been made that I use the Latin nanus, so that I don’t have to invent a word. Finding a word for elf is harder, since the Latin word for elf also has connotations such as nymph or faerie, which is not what I don’t think the Professor was going for. Nanus could be used, yes, but then what for elf? I want to keep a sense of the uniqueness of the elves, the dwarves, the hobbits in Tolkien’s work.

I am trying to convey the uniqueness of the English text, the original, and not another translation of LOTR when it comes to the names. The translation is intended for English readers (I don’t know any other modern languages, sorry), hence why there’s a Latin-English glossary. This is why I brought up the issue of recognisability to the reader with names, place names, et cetera. Someone did make the point of it being recognizable to which reader, in reference to their language, and my response is simply that it is intended to be recognizable to the English speaking and reading person.

Returning back to the idea of recognisability, although adjectives like Elvenibus and Dwarvenibus are recognizable, they may seem a tad primitive on second glance to me. Although Dwarvenibus seems appropriate since it gets across the idea of dwarven so well in the word. But what for elven, or elf? How does one keep the uniqueness and still remain recognizable to the English reader? I think I will use nanus, as has been suggested (adjective nanus, a, um). However, for elf and elven I think it may be best to take Eldar and decline it. So, Eldar, is for the noun (m.) and Eldar, e for the adjective.

As for whether to leave the place names and names untranslated and decline or to actually translate their name meanings, I think it may be best to just decline and leave them unless there’s a necessary exception to this, such as Bilbo’s name and Bag End. Carlos suggested Bursonus for Baggins, which I think is quite clever. Since this comes from bursa, for bag, it might be good to combine it with ima (bottom- so bottom of the bag- i.e. cul-de-sac) for Bag End. Perhaps Bursa Ima?

As for Tolkien’s suggestion that Hobbiton be translated hobbit + town, in this case oppidum hobbitorum (town of hobbits), that doesn’t exactly work in my opinion. Hobbiton will remain declined. The same goes for the Sackville Bagginses: Bursoni Villa Sacci (Bagginses from a village of a sack) doesn’t really work. Sometimes being literal about things does work (although my translation of colloquialisms in chapter one will doubtless have to improve). Although the spelling for Sackvillus could be Latinized (Sacvilla might be better). Bursoni Sacvilla (Bagginses from Sackville).

As for putting the Ring Poem in hexameter, I don’t think that would work, fun and hate filled though it would be. For one thing, the meter in English is very inconsistent. Although most of the lines have eleven syllables in English, some of the lines have eight, nine or even thirteen! I don’t think Tolkien set out to create a strict metric formula with the poem. I agree with one comment that lines 2 and 4 are rather unwieldy… I will try to make the poem flow a bit better though while not remaining in any consistent meter.

My translation updates will be sporadic, since I have my university studies to attend to, so hang in there. I’ll likely try to update on weekends.

Glossary

2009-12-23T19:17:00.000-08:00

DA Latin Glossary (in order of appearance)

Ring Poem

Anulus, i- m. the ring

Elbicus, a, um- Elven

Nanus, a, um- Dwarven here dwarf

Hypogeum, i- crypt, vault, underground chamber/room here a hall

Saxum, i- n. stone

Mortalis, e- mortal

damno, damnare, damnavi, damnatus- to damn here to be doomed

Ater, a, um- dark, obscure

solium, i- n. throne

Mordor, is- m. Mordor

operio, operire, operui, opertus- to cover (over), overspread, conceal

Tenebrae, arum- f. pl. darkness

vincio, vincire- to bind, to confine

Book 1

Chapter 1

convivium, i - n. party (feast)

Magister, i – m. here Master or Mr.

Bilbo, nis- m. Bilbo

Bursonus, i- m. Baggins, in pl. Bagginses

habito, habitare, habitavi, habitatus- to live (in), to inhabit, to stay

Bursa Ima, ae- m. Bag End- ae also = locative case

nuntiare- to announce

celebratare- to celebrate

egregrius, a, um- special, distinguished

magnificentia, ae- f. magnificence

Hobbitovicus, i- m. Hobbiton

perdives- very rich

insolitus, a, um- strange, queer

spectaculum, i- n. spectacle, sight, show

Pagus, i- m. the Shire

notabiliter e conspectu aberat- he had disappeared remarkably

notabilis, e- remarkable

insperatus, a, um- unexpected, unhoped for

popularis, e – popular

neglegens- from neglego- to neglect

Collis, is- m. the Hill

Cuniculus, i- m. a tunnel, an underground passage, a rabbit, a cony

farcio, farcire, farsi, fartum- to fill, to stuff full

divitae, arum- f. pl. riches, treasure

prorogo, prorogare, prorogavi, prorogatus- to prolong

vigor, is- m. vigor

extendo, extendere, extendi, extenditus- to continue, to extend, to stretch out

afficio, afficere, affeci, affectus- to exert an influence on the body or mind here to have an effect

conservo, conservare, conservavi, conservatus- to preserve, to keep, to maintain

verbum, verbi- n. here, phrase

quatio, quatere, quassi, quassum- to shake

nimius, a, um- here too much, excessive

iniustus, a, um- unfair, unjust

iuventus, utis- f. youth, the prime of life

sempiternus, a, um- continual, everlasting

solvo, solvere, solvi, solutum- here to pay for

molestus, a, um- burdensome, troublesome

benignus, a, um- generous

condono, condonare- here to overlook (one’s faults)

novitas, atis - f. strangeness

propinquus, a, um- relative

interviso, intervisere, intervisi, intervisum- here to visit from time to time

Sackvilla, ae- f. Sackville

studiosus, a, um- devoted

admiror, admirari- to admire

familiaris, e- belonging to a family

pauper, eris - poor

levis, e- here unimportant

familiaris, is- m. a familiar friend

patruelis, e- a cousin (on the father’s side)

consobrinus, i- m. male cousin (on the mother’s side)

invenis, is- younger

adolseco, adolsecere- to grow up

adolescens, tis- young

Frodo, nis- m. Frodo

heres, heredis- c. heir

facere heredem- idiom, to make one a heir

redigo, redigere- to reduce to a specific state

inritus, a, um- void

ad inritum redacti sunt- lit. they were made void here they were crushed

mensis, is- m. month

commodus, a, um – convenient, satisfactory here comfortable

tweenus, i - m. tween

immaturus, a, um- immature here irresponsible

pueritia, ae- f. childhood, boyhood

aditus, us- m. the right of entrance to

pubertas, atis- f. puberty, the age of maturity, manhood here adulthood

transeo- to transfer, here: to pass (the passing of time)

acerrima- here energetic, passionate, lively

misceo, miscere, miscui, mixtum- to combine

ad tempus- here for the occasion

eximius, a, um- exceptional, selected, distinguished- eximius here is in the comparative degree (neuter sing.)

autumnus, i- m. autumn

advenio, advenire, adveni, adventus- to come (esp. of time), to arrive, to come to

excogito, excogitare, excogitavi, excogitatus- to devise, to contrive, to invent

numerus, i- m. number

attractivus, a, um- interesting

hobbitus, i- m. a hobbit

Tuccus, i- m. Took

sonticus, a, um- important, serious

dies, ei- c. here the date

rumor, is- n. here gossip

Iustaqua, ae- f. Bywater

spargo, spargere, sparsi, sparsus- to scatter, to sprinkle, here to spread

perlustro, perlustrare, perlustravi, perlustratus- to pass through

indoles, is- f. character (of a person)

rurusm- adv. Again

res, is- f. here topic

sermo, nis- m. speech, conversation

subito- adv. suddenly

recordatio, nis- f. here reminisces

auditores- m. pl listeners, hearers here an audience

attentioris, e- adj. attentive

Hammus, i- m. Ham

Gamsio, nis- m. Gamgee

Vetulus, i- m. the Gaffer

Fruticis Haderae- the Ivy Bush- locative case

taberna, ae- f. inn, taven

Iustaquus, a, um- adj. Bywater, relating to Bywater

auctoritas, tis- f. here authority

curo, curare, curavi, curatus – here to care for, to tend

hortus, i- m. garden

adiuvo, adiuvare, adiuvavi, adiuvatus- to help, to assist

Cavivirus, i- m. Holman

artus, us- m. joint (of the body)

rigidus, a, um- adj. stiff, rigid

fere- adv. here mostly

Sam, is- m. Sam, Samwise

uti familiariter- lit. to associate with familiarly here to be on good terms with

Bursamissus Ordo, -i -inis- m. Bagshot Row

signo, signare, signavi, signatus- to mark, to stamp

solummodo- adv. here just

infra (prep. + acc.)- below

suavis, e- pleasant, delightful, charming here nice

eloquens, ntis- eloquent, well-spoken

generosus-hobbitus, -i -i - m. a gentle-hobbit

declaro, declarare, declaravi, declaratum- to declare

verus, a, um- truthful

Hamfastus, i- m. Hamfast

consulto, consultare, consultavi, consultatum- to consult, to ask for advice

cultus, us- m. tilling, cultivation, tending here growing

holus, eris- n. a vegetable

stirps, is- f. the root (of a plant)

patata, ae- f. potato

nosco, noscere, novi, notus- to acknowledge, to recognize

auctor, ris- m. here an authority (on a subject)

vicinia, ae- f. neighbourhood

Nocus Senex, -i -icis- m. Old Noakes

dimidia, ae- f. half

sanguis, inis- m. here blood (in the sense of race), blood-relationship, family, race

Brandicaper, pri- m. Brandybuck

uxor, is- f. wife

longe- here far (off), a long way

Capriterra, ae- f. Buckland

miraculum, i- n. miracle, wonder

addo, addere, addidi, additum- here to say in addition

Tatula Bipes, -ae -dis- m. Daddy Twofoot

vicinus, i- m. neighbour, a next door neighbour

ripa, ae- f. bank (of a river)

pravus, a, um- here bad

Flumen Brandivinum, -inis -i - n. the Brandywine River

Silva Vetus, -ae -eris- f. the Old Forest

obscurus, a, um- dark, dim, gloomy

fabula, ae- f. story, tale

Tata, ae- m. Dad

genus, -eris- n. here breed

ut videtur- seemingly

conludo, conludere, conlusi, conlusum- to play with

ratis, is- f. boat

flumen, inis- n. river

utcumque res ceciderit- in any case here be that as it may

lepidus, a, um- nice

offendo, offendere, offendi, offenses- to meet, to encounter

denique- adv. indeed here after all

decens, decentis- decent

respectabilis, -is- respectable

Drogo, -nis- m. Drogo

narro, narrare, narravi, narratus- here to tell (about someone)

quoad- conj. until

mergo, mergere, mersi, mersus- here to drown

mersitit- a butchered form of mersit, translate as drownded

quippe- adv. of course

adamo, adamare, adamavi, adamatus- to fall in love with, to love passionately, to admire greatly here to have a passion for

desidero, desiderare, desideravi, desideratus- to desire, to want, to long for, to wish for

em- interj. Well

ita aiunt- so they say

ecce- behold! see! here you see

nubo, nubere, nupsi, nuptus- to marry

miser, misera, miserum- poor, miserable wretched

magistra, -ae- f. here Miss

Primula, -ae- f. Primula

consobrina, -ae- f. female cousin (on the mother’s side)

iuvenis, -is, -e- young

remotus, -a, -um- removed

semel- once

utroque modo- either way

sicut dicunt- as the saying goes

si me sentitis- if you follow me

Brandivini Villa, -ae- f. Brandy Hall

socer, -i- m. father-in-law

senex, -is- old

Gorbadocus, -i- m. Gorbadoc

matrimonium, -i- n. marriage

cibus, -i- m. food, fare, a meal

paro, parare, paravi, paratus- prepare, furnish, supply, provide

munificus, -a, um- bountiful, generous

convivium- here a feast, a banquet

naviculatus est- lit. he sailed a small vessel here he went out boating

uxor, -is- f. wife

merseruntunt- see note for mersitit

tantum- adv. hardly, only

infans, -tis- c. an infant, a baby

cena, -ae- f. dinner

lumen, -inis- n. light

luna, -ae- f. the moon

pondus, -eris- n. weight here specifically the weight of the body

demergo, demergere, demersi, demersus- to sink/submerge

percello -cellere -culi -culsum- to push, to strike

traho trahere traxi tractum- to pull along, to pull violently, to drag

Rufus, -i- m. Sandyman

molinarius, -i- m. a miller

laboriosus, a, um- (of things) toilsome, laborous, difficult here tricky

immotus, a, um- unmoved, still

pergo, pergere, perrexi, perrectus- go on, proceed

qualibet- adv anyway

orbo, orbare, orbavi, orbus- to deprive of parents, to be orphaned

relictus, a, um- abandoned, forsaken- here stranded

Capriterranus, i- m. Bucklander

educo, educare, educavi, educatus- to bring up, rear, educate, train

utique- anyhow

frequentissima- here “overcrowded”

leporarium, i- n. a warren

ducenti- lit. two hundred here a couple hundred

factum- here a deed

beneficus, a, um- kind, generous

refero, referre, retuli, relatus- to bring back

decens, -ntis- decent

suspicor, suspicari- to suspect, conjecture, suppose, surmise here to reckon

offensus, -us- m. an offense

amarus, a, um- unpleasant, nasty

adquiro, adquirere, adquisivi, adquisitus- to acquire, obtain, get

abscedo, abscedere, abscessi, abscessus- to go away, depart

abigo, abigere, abigere, abactus- to drive away, to send away

aspectus, -us- m. appearance

di eum ament- lit. may the gods love him here bless him!

subito- adv. suddenly

exhibeo, exhibere, exhibui, exhibitus- to produce, to present, to exhibit

documentum, -i- n. a document

bene- here properly

FOTR: Book1, Chapter 1, Page 1

2009-12-23T18:54:00.000-08:00

Finally, finally, finally! Tandem aliquando, as Cicero would say! I have finally completed the first page of the first chapter of the first book of The Fellowship of the Ring. It has taken me months to translate this page and I am really proud of how far I've come in translating since then. I've also made a glossary of words (in order of appearance), which you can access to the side. Comments and criticisms and corrections to the translation are always welcome! Valete!

Michael

Caput Primum

CONVIVIUM EXSPECTATUM DIU

Cum Magister Bilbo Bursonus qui habitabat Bursae Imae nuntiavit eum centesimum et undecimum diem sui natalis breviter cum convivio magnificentiae egregiae celebraturum esse, erat multa fama et commotio in Hobbitone.

Bilbo erat perdives et novissimus, et annos sexaginta fuerat spectaculum Pagi, tempore quo notabiliter e conspectu aberat et insperatum rederat. Divitae quae is rettulerat itineribus suis iam factae erant fabulam Pagi, et id creditum est, neglegens illa quae homines veti dicant, populariter multo populi Pagi Tumulum Bursae Imae cuniculos fartos cum divitis habuisse. Et si illud erat non satis fama, erat quoque suus prorogatus vigor spectare. Tempus extendit, et videtur id multo non affecisse de Bilbone. Annis nonaginta aetatis similis erat quam fuerat annis quinquaginta aetatis. Annis nonaginta et novem aetatis inceperunt vocare eum conservatum bene; sed non immutatus verius verbum dictu esset. Erant aliqui qui sua caputa quasserunt et cogitaverunt hoc nimium esse; id videtur iniustum aliquem iuventutem sempiternam (specie) et quoque divitas infinitas (per famam) tenturum esse.

“Id solvendum est!” dixerunt. “Id est non naturale, et molesta venient propter id!”

Sed illo tempore molesta non adhuc venerat; et quoniam Magister Bursonus suam pecuniam aliis benigne dedit, plurimi homines volebant condonare novitatem suam et divitas bonas suas propter hoc. Is suos propinquos interviseat (praeter Bursoni ex Sackvilla) habuit homines studiosos multos qui eum admirati sunt inter hobbites familiarium pauperium et levium. Sed is familiares nullos habuit, donec aliqui patruelium invenium suorum inceperunt adolescere.

Veterrimus quorum patruelium, et carissimus Bilboni, erat adolescens Frodo Bursonus. Cum Bilbo erat nonaginta et novem anni aetatis is fecit Frodonem suum heredem, et is tulit eum ad Bursam Imam ad vivendum ibi; et propter hoc spes Bursonorum ex Sackvilla ad inritum redacti sunt tandem.

Accidit ut Bilbo et Frodo quoque nati erant die eodem, qui erat alter et vicesimus dies mensis Septembris. “Debes venire et habitare hic, Frodo mi puere,” Bilbo dixerat ei die uno, “et tum poterimus celebratare diem nostrorum natlium commode inter nos.” Tunc Frodo erat etiam tweenus, verbum quo hobbites vocaverunt aetates immaturas inter pueritiam aetate annorum viginti et aditum in puberitatem aetate annorum triginta tres.

The Ring Poem

2009-09-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

To start things off, while I slowly finish the first page of Chapter One, here is the famous Ring Poem:

Tres Anuli sub caelo Regibus Eldaribus,
Septem in cavernis saxeis Dominis Nanis,
Novem condemnatis ad mortem Mortalibus,
Unus Domino Atro in sede atra
In Terra Mordoris ubi Umbrae iacent.
Unus Anulus omnes regere, Unus Anulus omnes invenire,
Unus Anulus omnes conferre et in tenebris vincire
In Terra Mordoris ubi Umbrae iacent.

Michael