Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to translate this Einstein quote into Latin, potentially for a tattoo.

"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods."

I know there are a few errors, but here's what I've got so far:
"Quicumque se iudicem Veritatis et Scientiae instituere suscipit risu Deorum naufrangitur."

I say "naufrangitur" because I can't find a verb "to shipwreck" so I consolidated the noun "naufrangium" (n., shipwreck) and frangere (to break, shatter). Anyone know what the verb should actually be, or does this make sense?

Also, I don't know how to say to set up as a judge.

 

[Diaphanus]

Re: Help With Translation

Verbs don't really compound together like that with nouns. Navifragare (navi- + FRAG + -a-re) would be more regular.

There is already the word naufragare for "be (ship)wrecked."

You could use naufragat for "is (ship)wrecked."

 

[Bitmap]

Re: Help With Translation

You should keep in mind that Latin is a rather simple language. I'd expect something like:

"Quisquis veritatem iudicare aut scientiam conatur, eum di perdunt (ridentes)"

 

[Matthaeus]

Re: Help With Translation

These requests get more and more ridiculous... :wondering:

Of course...another tattoo, what else can we expect?

 

[Anonymous]

Verbs don't really compound together like that with nouns. Navifragare (navi- + FRAG + -a-re) would be more regular.

There is already the word naufragare for "be (ship)wrecked."

You could use naufragat for "is (ship)wrecked."

So naufragare means to be shipwrecked? Like it's automatically passive so i don't need to make it passive voice?

Does this make more sense:
"Quisquis se iudicem Veritatis et Scientiae facere suscipit risu [or should it be plural??] Deorum naufragat."

("Whoever undertakes to make/institute himself a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the Gods.")

You should keep in mind that Latin is a rather simple language. I'd expect something like:

"Quisquis veritatem iudicare aut scientiam conatur, eum di perdunt (ridentes)"

Yes, this does work, but I'd prefer to keep the Latin translation as close to the original quote as I can.

These requests get more and more ridiculous... :wondering:

Yeah, sorry... it's kind of a crazy sentence.

Of course...another tattoo, what else can we expect?

Yo, don't hate! I just wouldn't want to risk permanently inking something that's bad grammar and/or totally incorrect. I'm not even sure yet if I will get a tattoo; I'm just trying to figure out what I would get.

 

[Matthaeus]

Re: Help With Translation

All right, sorry for the last comment. However, you have to keep in mind that you cannot always expect a literal, close-to-original translation. As Chamaeleo previously mentioned in another thread, languages are systems of expression in themselves, so you can't always win by translating verbatim (word for word), lest you end up with something that makes no sense. Good example of this are idioms. e.g. to be in a pretty pickle, or burning the candle at both ends, which, when translated into any other language, won't make sense, because in English they carry a hidden meaning.

Anyway, the point is to make sure the sense is kept, so I would stay with Bitmap's suggestion.

 

[Chamaeleo]

So naufragare means to be shipwrecked? Like it's automatically passive so i don't need to make it passive voice?"

Yes, that's what it means. It's not passive though; it just happens to be expressed with a passive verb in English. In the same way, a Roman would be wrong to think that the English verb “to try” is automatically passive, just because in Latin you say “cónor”.

“Naufragáre” means to be on a ship when it sinks. Nothing passive about it. The same verb exists in Spanish.

As Chamaeleo previously mentioned in another thread, languages are systems of expression in themselves,

Yay, I'm now being cited for my wisdom, like Cicero or Plato!

 

[Matthaeus]

Re: Help With Translation

As Chamaeleo previously mentioned in another thread, languages are systems of expression in themselves,

Yay, I'm now being cited for my wisdom, like Cicero or Plato!

Well, I always admire someone who uses reason/logic/common sense/critical thinking!!! The world is in dire need of such persons!

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, that's what it means. It's not passive though; it just happens to be expressed with a passive verb in English. In the same way, a Roman would be wrong to think that the English verb “to try” is automatically passive, just because in Latin you say “cónor”.

“Naufragáre” means to be on a ship when it sinks. Nothing passive about it. The same verb exists in Spanish.

Gotcha. Thank you!