I'm hoping to translate a few phrases into at least decent pseudo-latin for use as High Gothic mottos in my campaign. However my knowlege of latin is limited to many legal and some scientific terms.

I have no actual background in latin itself (conjugation, sentence structure, etc.) so any translations I try to do myself will be of the "translate each word from English indvidually using online English-Latin dictionary and keep in English order" variety.

I was hoping I could find someone on here with a some basic education in Latin who'd be willing to take a shot at translations for me.

Thanks.

Well as an aside, even though I did my Latin a long time ago, if you know the proper conjugation endings for the words it doesn't matter where in the sentence structure the word goes. This of course in my classes led to no limit to amount of amusement as I would place certain words in certain patterns just cause many of my classmates liked to read in a linear fashion. As to your actual request, if no one else speaks up I can attempt to give you a hand.

Well it has been more than 4 years since I last needed latin but I suppose I could try helping. But I had it in school for six years so some things schould have stuck. No guarantee though.

I use this web site for all my 40K related latin translating need.

The first two phrases I'm looking to translate are:

"Truth is so precious it must be attended by a bodyguard of lies"

and

"Never attempt to win by force what can be won by fraud"

Can't say as I have it totally right, but this is what I would use.

"Truth is so precious it must be attended by a bodyguard of lies" = Verum est sic carus is postulo sequax per stipatores infidus

"Never attempt to win by force what can be won by fraud" = Nunquam carpo violenter quis capimini per fraus

This one is a little trickier because I can't remember how to conjugate passive part "can be won". I think capimini should be conjugated differently, but I'm not 100% certain what it is. This should be close though.

If it works, fantastic. Hopefully someone who is a little less rusty at this can do a better job.

Redeucer said:

Plenty close enough for me. As far as I know none of my players are latin scholars (but a least one knows enough to maybe be able to at least partially work out the meanings)

If these (or any other high gothic) stuff comes up, I don't know whether to provide the translation to the players on a sucessful speak/literacy High Gothic roll, or whether for a sucessful roll just let them then use online latin to english dictionary to try to figure it out. Hmmmm....

I'll be honest- I'd be somewhat lazy (were I in your position) and only work up the "high gothic" (pseudo-)latin phrases if it would be important to the plot (a particular cadence having occult significance; a cocky heretic leaving multi-lingual clues and puns) or simply funny. I'd simply say "htere is some writing in high gothic", and provide the 'translation' to whoever made their roll/had the skill (assuming you allow them to auto speak language skills once they have had them a while).

A word of caution though- very few people appreciate humour and in-jokes that rely on knowledge of multiple languages, no matter how hysterical they may seem. Checking up on old and obscure heraldic mottoes is a good way to either get lost in the fun of multi-lingual punning, or want to strangle the entire college of heralds- a baker, for example, whose motto is 'quod subigo farinam'

I'm a typical American (I know that if I speak English loud enough and slow enough anyone in the world can understand me) and sadly I use a generic online Latin translator for all of my High Gothic needs. However, I would like to applaud your choice of phrases to be translated. I'll probably have my PC's Inquisitor drop those on his new Acolytes at some point.

Also - here are a couple of phrases I've used in my game. Nice and simple.

"For the Emperor" = "Pro Imperitor"

and

"Blood for the Blood God" = "Cruor pro cruor deus"