It is one of the great incongruities of the English language that, despite being one of the most versatile and malleable forms of linguistic communication among the world's great tongues, it is also, at times, downright baffling.
Really interesting. I have had people criticise some of my Roman novels for swearing on the grounds that the a. The Romans didn't use the word fuck (well, the Romans didn't use any of the words I wrote since I'm writing in English not Latin and B. The Romans didn't swear which you have nicely debunked. I tend to refer these critics to Catullus 16!
I am indeed currently putting the finishing touches to my translation of Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars, which hopefully will be available for pre-order from next week. It still needs some polishing, but all the main work is done.
More information will be available in the next few days and everyone here will be the first to know!
Great article. Thank you very much. Similar problems with Aristophanes’ translations in Modern Greek especially because they are being performed in every summer festival in the country since they are still very popular :-)
I was so glad when I finally came across uncensored Catullus. The Victorians were such prudes that all the public domain copies skip the really fun bits. It weakens the true invective.
Everyone swears, and has for all of history and prehistory. If a man out hunting mammoth missed his spear throw, one of the other guys probably made a derogatory dick joke.
I was in a Roman Republic MUSH for some years, and being a woman, I confined myself to "Edepol!" when events didn't go my way.
Really interesting. I have had people criticise some of my Roman novels for swearing on the grounds that the a. The Romans didn't use the word fuck (well, the Romans didn't use any of the words I wrote since I'm writing in English not Latin and B. The Romans didn't swear which you have nicely debunked. I tend to refer these critics to Catullus 16!
I too have been criticised on the grounds that the Romans didn’t swear. It prompted an interesting conversation.
Henceforth, any idiots I encounter shall be known as "you suitcase".
“You ABSOLUTE suitcase.” The modifier is very important. “Complete” or “Total” also work!
Of course!
Wonderful article and thorough research as usual!
Thank you very much.
Great article - thanks very much
Thank you very much. Instructive (even too instructive, my friends will not be happy.)
Are you working on what I believe is call De vita Caesarum or other of his works on Roman life ?
Thank you very much for your kind words!
I am indeed currently putting the finishing touches to my translation of Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars, which hopefully will be available for pre-order from next week. It still needs some polishing, but all the main work is done.
More information will be available in the next few days and everyone here will be the first to know!
Great article. Thank you very much. Similar problems with Aristophanes’ translations in Modern Greek especially because they are being performed in every summer festival in the country since they are still very popular :-)
Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
I was so glad when I finally came across uncensored Catullus. The Victorians were such prudes that all the public domain copies skip the really fun bits. It weakens the true invective.
Everyone swears, and has for all of history and prehistory. If a man out hunting mammoth missed his spear throw, one of the other guys probably made a derogatory dick joke.
I was in a Roman Republic MUSH for some years, and being a woman, I confined myself to "Edepol!" when events didn't go my way.
I was thinking of approaching Catullus next, although I’ve always fancied a go at Josephus
I haven't seen any recent translations of Josephus. Have seen a recent of Catullus.