Re: Translation to Latin

> Michael Poxon <mike@...> wrote:
>"Pugnare" (if it exists, haven't a dictionary to hand!) would
> probably signify fighting in the sense of hand-to-hand combat.
> Maybe something along the lut- route would be appropriate?
Yes, it exists: Cassell's New Latin Dictionary, p 487.  English
derives the word 'pugnacious' et al. from it.  I never state facts
on this list anymore without a reference to back me up.  Some folks
are so pugnacious! :-)

Although the word and its derivates have their origin in 'pugnus,'
fist, many of the words do refer to battle: pugnare = fight, combat,
give battle; pugnax = fond of fighting, combative; pugna = a fight,
a battle; pugnator = fighter, combatant, soldier.  The
aforementioned dictionary says, "Lit., both of single combatants and
of whole armies...", therefore the motto could apply either to an
individual or to an army that fights dirty.  Other "contenders"
might be: dimicare, proeliari, digladiari, bellare, and (con)
certare.  I'm sure that each of them has its own nuances.  I
felt 'pugnare' to be the simplest and most easily understood.

I modeled my translation after mottos in Latin that omit 'esse,' to
be, e.g., regnare, servire, to reign is to serve.

I didn't see it as an aspiration but as a statement of fact: to
fight without honor is to win without glory.  The one who fights
dishonorably wins a shameful victory.

Charlie

Replies