Two Blindmen
In Rome there were two blind men. Daily one (of them) cried through the streets of the city, "He is helped well whom the Lord desires to help." The other however cried, "He is helped well whom the Emperor desires to help." Day by day the two blind men cried these words. The emperor heard the two blind men. Immediately he ordered a baker to make bread and fill it with money (coins). Then to the blind man who trusted in the power of the emperor this bread, heavy with money, was given. When the blind man felt the weight of the bread, he was angry. "I am not able to eat this bread," he cried. "It is like (to) a rock."
"Today," said the other beggar, "I received a few coins. I will glady buy your bread for a cheap price. Do you wish to sell it to me?"
The first blind man gladly sold the bread at the least price. "Now," he thought, "I will be able to buy good bread." The blind man who bought the bread heavy with money hurried home. "God is good," he said. "God gave me this bread at a cheap price." Immediately he broke the bread which he was hungering. Behold, in the bread he found many coins (much money). With great joy he gave thanks to God. "He is helped well whom God wishes to help. Now I have much money. Now it is no necessary that I beg."
Day after day, the other blind man was begging. Whereupon the emperor called him and asked, "Where is the bread which was given to you?" But he answered, "I sold the bread to my comrade because it seemed like a rock to me."
"Truly," said the emperor, "He is helped well whom God desires to help."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Story #6 Servus Sapiens
The Wise Servant
Once a certain lord said to his servant, "Go to the shopkeepers in the market place and buy for us the best meats." Swiftly the servant came to the marketplace and entered into a shop. "Do you have tongues today?" he asked. "Certainly (indeed)," responded the shopkeeper. "We have the best tongues from (of) cattle. They are even cheap." The servant bought the tongues and hastened home. When the lord saw the tongues, he was angry but said nothing.
After a few days again he said, "Go to market and buy for us the worst meats for sale in the shop." So again the servant bought all the tongues of animals which he had been able to find. Then he cooked (prepared) the tongues and gave them to his lord. The lord was very angry. "Why," he asked, "always do you buy tongues? If I want the best meat you buy tongues. If I desire the worst meat, you also buy tongues. Do you mock me?"
"Why are you angry, Lord. Truly there is no fleshy limb (member) better than a good tongue and on the contrary none worse than a bad tongue." With these words, the servant proved his prudence and wisdom.
2. Where were the shops? Tabernae in forum erant. (The shops were in the marketplace.)
3. Why was the lord angry? Dominus iratus erat quia servum eum irridere putabat. (The lord was angry because he thought (that) the servant mocked him.) This answer uses the construction required for indirect address: accusative plus the infinitive (servum and irridere)
4. How does the servant prove his understanding/wisdom? Servus scientiam probavit quia linguam bonam esse et quoque malos dixit. (The servant proves wisdom because he says (that) the tongue is good but also bad.) This answer also used the construction for indirect address: accusative plus the infinitive. (linguam and esse)
5. What did St. James say about the tongue?
Once a certain lord said to his servant, "Go to the shopkeepers in the market place and buy for us the best meats." Swiftly the servant came to the marketplace and entered into a shop. "Do you have tongues today?" he asked. "Certainly (indeed)," responded the shopkeeper. "We have the best tongues from (of) cattle. They are even cheap." The servant bought the tongues and hastened home. When the lord saw the tongues, he was angry but said nothing.
After a few days again he said, "Go to market and buy for us the worst meats for sale in the shop." So again the servant bought all the tongues of animals which he had been able to find. Then he cooked (prepared) the tongues and gave them to his lord. The lord was very angry. "Why," he asked, "always do you buy tongues? If I want the best meat you buy tongues. If I desire the worst meat, you also buy tongues. Do you mock me?"
"Why are you angry, Lord. Truly there is no fleshy limb (member) better than a good tongue and on the contrary none worse than a bad tongue." With these words, the servant proved his prudence and wisdom.
Exercises
1. Why did the lord send the servant to the shops? Dominus servum ad tabernus carnes emere missit. (The lord sent the servant to buy meat at the shops.) 2. Where were the shops? Tabernae in forum erant. (The shops were in the marketplace.)
3. Why was the lord angry? Dominus iratus erat quia servum eum irridere putabat. (The lord was angry because he thought (that) the servant mocked him.) This answer uses the construction required for indirect address: accusative plus the infinitive (servum and irridere)
4. How does the servant prove his understanding/wisdom? Servus scientiam probavit quia linguam bonam esse et quoque malos dixit. (The servant proves wisdom because he says (that) the tongue is good but also bad.) This answer also used the construction for indirect address: accusative plus the infinitive. (linguam and esse)
5. What did St. James say about the tongue?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Story # 5 Pater Noster
Pater Noster
Our Father
Often Jesus was talking to the disciples about prayer. With great love, he said to them, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find. Knock and to you it will be opened. For all who ask receive and those who seek will find."
Day by day the good teacher gave an example to his beloved disciples. For Jesus prayed much. Often he prayed the whole night. A certain day, therefore, the disciples approached to Jesus and one of them said, "Lord, teach us to pray."
Jesus loved his disciples. To the teacher the disciples were as little children. And so, with great kindness, he said to them, "When you pray, say:
Our father who is in heaven,
Holy is your name,
Your kingdom is to come,
Your will is to be done,
Just as in Heaven, so on earth.
Our daily bread give to us,
And forgive to us our debts,
Just as we forgive our debtors,
And do not lead us into temptation,
But free us from evil. Amen."
Exercises
1. To whom does God give many gifts?
2. When does Jesus pray?
3. What do the disciples ask Jesus?
4. Who give to us the daily bread?
5. Who sends away our sins?
Story #4 Signum Crucis
Signum Crucis
In the name of the father and the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
In the name of the Father . . .
God is Father. He is my heavenly father. The father is the creator of the world. The father created the earth and heaven, the sea and the mountains, the sun, the moon, and the stars for me. God gave me my soul and my life. God the Father loves me. I love God the Father.
And the son . . .
The Son is God. The Son is Jesus Christ. The Son is my savior, the redeemer of the world. The Son descended from heaven and by the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary was incarnated (made flesh) and was made man. On this earth he lived 33 years. Whereupon on account of my sins he was crucified. But because Jesus is God, in three days he resurrected, and after 40 days ascended into heaven. Although Jesus is in heaven, he desires to remain with me on earth. Therefore he lives in the tabernacle. I ought to visit Jesus daily. Jesus the Son of God loves me. I love Jesus, the Son of God.
And the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier. God the Holy Spirit gives many graces to me. He sanctifies me. If I am good, he lives in my soul always. The Holy Spirit loves me. I love God the Holy Spirit.
Glory be to the Father, to the son, and to the Holy Spirit. Just as it was in the beginning, and now, and always in ages of ages. Amen.
Tidbit: This story uses the passive form of several verbs:
was incarnated (incarnatus est), was made (factus est), was crucified (crucifixus est)
Exercises
1. Who is the creator of the world?
2. Who is Jesus Christ?
3. Why was Jesus crucified?
4. Why does Jesus live in the Tabernacle?
5. Who is the Sanctifier?
Story #3 Saint Christopher
Saint Christopher
Once there was a man by the name of Offorus. This man was strong and powerful. He desired to give his aid to a king who was also strong and powerful. But Offorus was greater than all the kings in strength and power. At length, he decided to serve Satan. He thought, "The devil is strong and powerful. Certainly he will fear nothing. I will serve Satan."
One day, however, Offorus and the devil were making a journey along the roads. Suddenly the companion of Offurus fled. The devil had seen the cross of Christ and was terrified. Immediately, Offorus exclaimed, "Now I will not serve Satan. Christ is more powerful. I will serve Christ."
After a few days, a small child was standing on the bank of a river. "I desire to cross the river," he said. "Come," responded Offorus, "I will carry you." The small boy however was carrying the sins of the world and was very heavy. At length Offorus arrived at the other bank of the river. The strong man was tired. "Who are you little one?" asked Offorus. "I am the king to whom you desire to serve," the little king responded.
Immediately Offorus threw himself at the feet of the little one. The little king smiled. He loved this strong man. "Rise," he commanded with great love. "Today you have carried Christ across the river. After this your name will be Christopher.
Exercises
1. What kind of man was Offorus?
2. Why does he decide to serve Satan?
3. What terrifies the devil?
4. Who was the little king?
5. What does the name Christopher signify?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Story #2 translation
2. Sancta Barbara
Part I.
Barbara is a little girl. The girl is the daughter of Dioscurus. The mother of Barbara is dead. The little girl lives in large house. The house is white and beautiful. The house is not in America. The house is in a Roman province. The house is in Nicomedia.
In the house are many (male) servants and many handmaidens. The (male) servants work in the fields. The servants cultivate the ground. They carry grain in carts. The servants are farmers. The servants are not sailors. The handmaids work in the house. The handmaids prepare food. The handmaids care for Barbara. Barbara loves the servants because the handmaids are good and kind. Barbara is a good girl. She is not a bad girl.
Dioscurus has a lot of money. He gives Barbara many gifts. Dioscurus gives the (his) daughter white tunics, new sandals, bright gems and beautiful dolls. But Dioscurus does not give the (his) little daughter kisses. Dioscurus does not love the (his) daughter. Dioscurus wants a son. “A daughter,” he says, “does not have boldness. A daughter does not fight in the war.” Dioscurus is kind. Dioscurus cares for Barbara. But Dioscurus does not love the (his) little daughter.
Exercises:
English translation of the questions and Latin answers.
1. Who is Barbara?
Barbara filia Dioscurus est. (Barbara is the daughter of Dioscurus.)
2. Where does Barbara live?
Barbara in magna villa habitat. (Barbara lives in a big house.)
3. Why does Barbara love the servants/handmaidens.
Barbara servas amat quod servae bonae et benignae sunt. (Barbara loves the servants because they are good and kind.)
4. Why does Dioscurus not love Barbara?
Dioscurus Barbaram non amat quod filium desiderat. (Dioscurus does not love Barbara because he wants a son.)
5. What gifts does Dioscurus give Barbara?
Dioscurus Barbarae tunicas, sandalia, gemmas, et pupas dat. (Dioscurus gives tunics, sandals, gems, and dolls to Barbara.)
Part II.
Barbara is often alone. The little girl does not have friends but is happy. The little girl is not miserable. She often walks in the peristyle (covered porch). She reads many stories. At night she looks at the moon and stars. The moon and the stars are bright. Barbara loves the little stars. Barbara reads/tells stories to the little stars. Sometimes the little stars tell stories to Barbara.
Today Barbara is in the peristyle. In the middle of the peristyle is a beautiful garden. There are many roses in the garden. The roses are white and beautiful. Barbara love the roses. Now Barbara wants water. The little girl calls the servant. The servant brings water in a jar. Barbara praises the faithful servant and gives the servant a rose. Barbara is happy because the servant is happy.
Exercises
English translation of the questions and Latin answers:
1. What is a peristylum?
Peristylum est pars villa. (The peristyle is part of the house.)
2. Where is the beautiful garden?
Hortus est in medio peristylum. (The garden is in the middle of the peristyle.)
3. How does the servant carry the water? (In what manner - quo modo)
Serva aquam in urna portat. (The servant carries water in a jar.)
4.To whom does Barbara give a rose?
Barbara rosam servae dat. (Barbara gives the rose to the servant.)
5. Why is Barbara happy?
Barbara est laeta quod serva est laeta. (Barbara is happy because the servant is happy.)
Part III.
In the atrium of the villa (hosue) are the friends of Dioscurus. Marcus is a bright general. Marcus is a Roman. He does not live in the house. He lives in the Roman army camp. The bright general fights in many battles. Marcus has a helmet and shield. Marcus also has a sword and a javelin. Marcus fights with sword and javelin ("with" is understood). The bright general wounds men. He kills men. He attacks the walls of the of the town. He attacks the barbarian towns (or "towns of the barbarians"). He attacks the village. Marcus' danger is great, but his boldness is also great. Marcus loves war. Marcus has much money and much booty. Today, however, he does not fight. The sword of Marcus is in the sheath. Today Marcus is in the house of Dioscurus. Marcus, the bright general, is the friend of Dioscurus.
Donatus is also a friend of Dioscurus. Donatus is not a general. Donatus is a bright poet. The poet is a good man. The poet does not love war.The poet does not have weapons. The poet does not have a sword and javelin. Donatus loves the earth, the moon, the stars, the roads, and the forests. Donatus also loves boys and girls. The poet looks at the peristyle. He sees the girl and exclaims, "Look! The girl is beautiful. The girl is a beautiful rose." Dioscurus and Marcus look at the girl. "Barbara is beautiful," thinks Dioscurus. "The girl is a beautiful rose," exclaims Marcus.
TIDBIT:
1. "pugnat" "pugnat" can be translated "he fights," "he does fight," "he is fighting"
2. "pueros puellasque" translated as boys and girls (plural accusative). When the "que" in used instead of "and" (et), it is called an enclitic.
3. "Specta!" This is in the imperative mood. If it were plural, it would be "spectate."
Exercises:
English translation of the questions and answers in Latin.
1. Where are the friends of Dioscurus?
In atrio villa amici Dioscurus sunt. (The friends of Dioscurus are in the atrium of the house.)
2. With what arms does Marcus fight?
Marcus gladio et pilo, galeo et scuto pugnat. (Marcus fights with sword and javelin, helmet and shield.)
3. What kind of man is Donatus?
Donatus est vir bonus. (Donatus is a good man.)
4. What (things) does Donatus love?
Donatus terram, lunam, stellas, vias, silvas, pueros, et puellas amat. (Donatus loves the earth, the moon, the stars, the roads, the forests, boys, and girls.)
5. Whom does Donatus see in the peristyle.
Donatus Barbaram in peristylo videt. (Donatus sees Barbara in the peristyle.
Part IV
In the evening the friends of Dioscurus are again in the atrium. Barbara is also in the atrium. The atrium is pleasing to Barbara. The atrium is big and beautiful. Marble columns, statues, and beautiful pictures decorate the atrium. No pictures of Christ nor the Virgin Mary decorate the atrium. Dioscurus is not a Christian. He has neither statues nor pictures of the God of the Christians. Near the impluvium, however, is a magnificent statue of Jove. There is also a marble table in the atrium. On the tale is a large book. The general gives the book to Barbara. The book is the gift of the general. There are many pictures and many stories in the book. The girl praises the book. The words of Barbara are pleasing to the general. Barbara looks at the pictures and reads:
The Romans worship many gods. Many temples of the gods are in the Roman Forum. the Romans sacrifice many victims to the Roman gods and goddesses. Jupiter is the king of the gods. Jupiter has great authority. Juno is queen of the gods. Neptune is god of the sea. Minerva is the god of wisdom.
"Look!" exclaims Barbara. "It is a picture of Diana. I love Diana. She is the goddess of the moon. At night I always look at the moon and stars."
"Apollo is the brother of Diana," says Marcus. "Apollo is god of the sun. Apollo is beautiful, Barbara."
"Look (Behold)! A picture of the god of the sun! There is also a picture of a nymph in the picture." Again Barbara reads: (continued in next part)
Exercises
1. Of what kind (or quality) is the atrium?
Atrium magnum et pulchrum est. (The atrium is big and beautiful.)
2. Why does Dioscurus not have pictures and statues of Christ in the artrim.
Dioscurus non est Christianus. (Dioscurus is not a Christian.)
3. Who gives Barbara the gift? What is the gift?
Marcus (Legatus) Barbarae donum dat. (Marcus give Barbara the gift.)
Donum volumen est. (The gift is a book.)
4. From what does Barbara read?
Barbara de magno volumine legit. (Barbara reads from the large book.) "volumen": 3rd declension neuter noun
5. What is the name of the brother of Diana?
Apollo frater Dianae est. (Apollo is the brother of Diana.)
Part V
"The Nymph is Daphne. Apollo loved the nymph. He wanted to marry the nymph (literally, to lead the nymph into marriage). Marriage was not pleasing to the nymph. Daphne wanted to wander in the woods. The nymph carried a beautiful arrow. Daphne loved the arrow. The nymph did not love the god of the sun. Apollo approached. Daphne prayed, and the gods saved the nymph. The gods changed the form of the nymph. Now Daphne does not have hair (hair- also capillus). She does not have arms. Daphne has leaves and branches. Daphne is a laurel tree. Apollo is miserable. The god of the sun will always love the laurel tree. The laurel will be the tree of the gods."
“The story about the nymph is pleasing,” says Barbara. “Daphne was good. To me also marriage is not pleasing. Diana was a virgin (an unmarried women). I also will be a virgin."
Dioscurus looked at his beautiful daughter. The words of Barbara were not pleasing to Dioscurus. “I will change the mind of the girl,” thinks Dioscurus. "My daughter will not give glory in war. She ought to give glory in marriage.”
“Christians," answers Donatus, "do not worship the Roman gods. They do not have many gods. Christians have one God. The God of the Christians is good and kind. He is a God of peace. He is not a God of war."
“A God of peace!” exclaims Marcus, “A God of peace is a feminine God. Mars is my god. Mars is strength. He is a god of war. A god of peace is not pleasing to a soldier."
“Christians praise the God of peace. War does not delight the Christians,” responds Donatus.
“Christians are stupid,” cries Dioscurus.
“Are Jupiter and Mars truly divine, Dioscurus? The God of the Christians is powerful and eternal. The God of the Christians always was and will always be. He created the earth, the sea, the hills, and mountains. The sun, the moon and the stars are works of his hands. Christians teach all these things.”
“Did he create the stars, my little stars?” asks Barbara. “I love the stars. The God of the Christians is good and kind. I worship the God of the Christians. We will have a statue of the God of the Christians in the atrium won’t we?”
“Barbara,” cries angry Dioscurus, “My daughter is not a slave. Christians are slaves and prisoners. Slaves are not free.”
“In the eyes of the new God according to the teaching of the Christians there are no slaves,” answers the poet. “All men are free. The God of the Christians loves kings and soldiers, rulers and prisoners, men and women, boys and girls equally. He heals the poor, the blind and the crippled. He is a kind god, a merciful god. Truly, Dioscurus, these new teachings seem pleasing to me.” (videntur when passive goes from “is seen” to “seems”)
"Our gods are not kind, cries Barbara. "They have many faults. Juno is the queen of the gods but a haughty and envious goddess." Today Callisto, a beautiful woman of Arcadia, is a bear, because Juno is a jealous goddess and does not love beautiful women. I do not want to adore a haughty and jealous god. I want to adore a kind god."
The eyes of Barbara were clear. The girl was happy. Again Dioscurus looked at his daughter. Dioscurus was not happy.
TIDBIT
This section of the story introduces the imperfect (past) tense. While most of the story is told in the present tense (putat, inquit, respondet, rogat), the author uses one imperfect tense in the story (spectabat) and one in the questions (habitabat). The difference between the use of perfect and imperfect will be discussed in the next section (Part VI)
Exercises
1. Does the story about the nymph delight Barbara?
Fabula de nympha delectabat Barbaram. (The story about the nymph delights Barbara.)
2. Do the words of Barbara delight Dioscurus? Why?
Verba Barbarae Dioscurum non delectant quod Barbara Deum Christianorum amat. (The words of Barbara do not please Dioscurus because Barbara loved the God of the Christians.)
3. Of what kind of God is the God of the Christians?
Deus Christianorum est bonus et benignes et Deus pacis. (The God of the Christians is good and kind and a God of peace.)
4. Who was Callisto? Where did she live?
Callisto erat femina pulchra. Habitabat in Arcadia. (Callisto was a beautiful woman. She lived in Arcadia.)
5. Why was Dioscurus unhappy (miserable)?
Barbara deos Romanorum non amat. (Barbara does not love the gods of the Romans.)
Part VI
It was night. The moon was bright. Many stars were in the sky. Men and women were resting the mind in sleep. But sleep did not hold Barbara. The marvelous words of the poet disturbed the mind of the girl. Finally she prayed, "God of the Christians, give your help. You are merciful. You care for the blind and sick, the slaves and the free man. Care for me. I love you." The earth was silent. The stars were whispering, "Hope in God." At first light Barbara was again happy and serene. The God of the Christians had pacified the mind of the girl.
The home of Dioscurus had a high and large tower. He wanted to prohibit (deny access) the friends from the girl. And so he hid Barbara in the tower. Barbara lived in the tower. Now she did not walk in the peristyle. Now she did not eat with her father in the dining room. Many friends visited Dioscurus but Barbara never saw the friends of her father. The poet never told stories to Barbara of the new God. The servants of Barbara were kind, but the daughter of Dioscurus was truly a prisoner in the tower. Barbara, however, was not sad. "God," the poet had said, "loves prisoners and victors." The stars whispered, "Hope in God." Barbara held these wonderful words always in her memory.
In the old days boys were taught in school by a teacher. But girls remained (at home) and learned with the mother. The mother of Barbara, however, was dead. "Marcus," thought Dioscurus, "he will be my son-in-law. He will not want to lead into marriage an untrained woman. And so (therefore) Dioscurus obtained good teachers for his daughter. Among these teachers there was a man named Valentinus. The daughter of Dioscurus was a diligent and studious student. In a short time she was reading Virgil's Aeneid with Valentinus. One day she was reading verses about Juno. Suddenly Barbara exclaimed, "Juno is a jealous goddess. She always harms (injures) Aeneas. The deeds of this goddess are not pleasing to me. Do you have a book in which there are stories of the God of the Christians? He is a good and merciful god. He created the stars and the moon. He loves all men, servants and free men. Once the poet Donatus told all these things to me, You are a learned teacher. You know everything. You do know the beautiful stories of the God of the Christians, don't you?"
The words of the little student were pleasing to Valentinus because he was himself a Christian. "Certainly Barbara," responded Valentinus. "I know many beautiful stories of the God of the Christians." And so, (therefore) day by day, Valentinus taught his student the doctrines of Christ. With great joy, Barbara heard the words of Valentinus and after a few months she is baptized. Then Barbara was incredibly happy. "I will never marry," said the girl. "I will give my heart to Christ. The God of the Christians will be my spouse." Valentinus was also incredibly happy. He looked at his student and smiled. Then he said, "The spouse of Christ ought to be well trained. Now we will read Virgil's Aeneid. Virgil is a bright poet, Barbara."
TIDBITS
1. The imperfect tense: In this part of the story, the author moves from telling the story in the present tense to the past tense. In Latin there are several modes of past tenses. The one used in this story is the imperfect tense. That is, a past tense in which the sense of the action is ongoing: She was crying, as opposed to she cried. In the perfect tense, the action is completed. Consult a summary of forms chart for the conjugation of verbs in the imperfect tense. (Example: amabat)
2. The future tense is also used in the dialogue of the story: desiderabit
3. a puella - quite often the preposition "ab" is abbreviated to "a" just as the preposition "ex" is abbreviated to "e." Also, in the dictionary of Olim Erat, the definition of "a, ab" should include the word "with."
4. baptizata est is in the perfect passive tense.
Exercises
1. What disturbed Barbara? Verba mira poetae mentem puellae turbabant. (The marvelous words of the poet disturb the mind of the girl.)
2. Why did Dioscurus hide Barbaram in the tower? Dioscurus amicos a puella arcere desiderabat. (He wanted to keep friends at a distance (or deny access) from the girl.)
3. Why did Dioscurus obtain a teacher for Barbara?
Dioscurus magistros obinebat quod filiam suam indoctam in matrimonium ducere non desiderabat. (Dioscurus obtained teachers because he does not want his unlearned daughter to be led into marriage [to marry].)
4. Who was Aeneas?
Aeneas erat homo in Aeneide Virgili. (Aeneas was a man in Virgil's Aeneid.) Aeneide is 3rd declension noun in ablative case. Virgil is in the genitive case.
5. Where was Barbara baptized?
Barbara in turri baptizata est. (Barbara was baptized in the tower.)
After a short time, Discurus visited Barbara. he gave a gift to Barbara, a necklace of pearls. "you are no longer a little girl, " he said. "you no longer will live in the tower."
"I give thanks to you father. The necklace is very beautiful. it is pleasing to me. It is also pleasing to live in the house with my father. Will I see your friends? Will I see the poet Donatum?"
But Dioscurus: "They come often to my home. To see my daughter will be pleasing to me. You, however, will not live in my house. You will live in a big and beautiful hosue." Barbara did not understand her father's words. "I will live along in a big house?"
"you are no longer a little girl, Barbara," responded Dioscurus. "Do you hold in your memory my friend, Marcus. He desires to marry my daughter."
"Never," exclaimed the girl, "will I marry Marcus. I do not desire to marry."
Dioscurus realized the stubborness of Barbara. "Don't get agitated," he said gently. "You don't marry Marcus today. After a short time you will change your mind. Marcus is a bright general. He loves my daughter. Soon, Barbara, you will love Marcus and you will desire to marry the strong soldier. You are a good girl. You will always give obedience to your father."
Dioscurus was out of the province for a short time. He was traveling to Athens. Before his departure, he had orderd her servants to build a bath for Barbara. Out of the tower window Barbara is watching the slaves. All the slaves loved the daugher of Dioscurus. The girl was always good and kind. She was always a friend to the slaves and so (therefore) they worked with great swiftness. Also they changed the order of Dioscurus according to the desires of Barbara. The father of the girl had ordered the servants to make 2 windows in the bath. "Make 3," Barbara had prayed. "I will take the blame." And so the servants made 3 windows. "Dioscurus will be angry," they said, "but 3 windows will delight the little lady."
Finally Dioscurus returned. "Why," he asked, "did you want 3 windows in the bath."
"Because," Barbara responded, "I wish to honor the Holy Trinity." Then without fear, she began to explain many things about the Redemption, many things about the life and death of Christ. "Donatus said true things (spoke truth). The God of the Christians is good and kind. I have given my heart to the God of the Christians. Jesus of Nazareth is my spouse."
Exercises
Part I.
Barbara is a little girl. The girl is the daughter of Dioscurus. The mother of Barbara is dead. The little girl lives in large house. The house is white and beautiful. The house is not in America. The house is in a Roman province. The house is in Nicomedia.
In the house are many (male) servants and many handmaidens. The (male) servants work in the fields. The servants cultivate the ground. They carry grain in carts. The servants are farmers. The servants are not sailors. The handmaids work in the house. The handmaids prepare food. The handmaids care for Barbara. Barbara loves the servants because the handmaids are good and kind. Barbara is a good girl. She is not a bad girl.
Dioscurus has a lot of money. He gives Barbara many gifts. Dioscurus gives the (his) daughter white tunics, new sandals, bright gems and beautiful dolls. But Dioscurus does not give the (his) little daughter kisses. Dioscurus does not love the (his) daughter. Dioscurus wants a son. “A daughter,” he says, “does not have boldness. A daughter does not fight in the war.” Dioscurus is kind. Dioscurus cares for Barbara. But Dioscurus does not love the (his) little daughter.
Exercises:
English translation of the questions and Latin answers.
1. Who is Barbara?
Barbara filia Dioscurus est. (Barbara is the daughter of Dioscurus.)
2. Where does Barbara live?
Barbara in magna villa habitat. (Barbara lives in a big house.)
3. Why does Barbara love the servants/handmaidens.
Barbara servas amat quod servae bonae et benignae sunt. (Barbara loves the servants because they are good and kind.)
4. Why does Dioscurus not love Barbara?
Dioscurus Barbaram non amat quod filium desiderat. (Dioscurus does not love Barbara because he wants a son.)
5. What gifts does Dioscurus give Barbara?
Dioscurus Barbarae tunicas, sandalia, gemmas, et pupas dat. (Dioscurus gives tunics, sandals, gems, and dolls to Barbara.)
Part II.
Barbara is often alone. The little girl does not have friends but is happy. The little girl is not miserable. She often walks in the peristyle (covered porch). She reads many stories. At night she looks at the moon and stars. The moon and the stars are bright. Barbara loves the little stars. Barbara reads/tells stories to the little stars. Sometimes the little stars tell stories to Barbara.
Today Barbara is in the peristyle. In the middle of the peristyle is a beautiful garden. There are many roses in the garden. The roses are white and beautiful. Barbara love the roses. Now Barbara wants water. The little girl calls the servant. The servant brings water in a jar. Barbara praises the faithful servant and gives the servant a rose. Barbara is happy because the servant is happy.
Exercises
English translation of the questions and Latin answers:
1. What is a peristylum?
Peristylum est pars villa. (The peristyle is part of the house.)
2. Where is the beautiful garden?
Hortus est in medio peristylum. (The garden is in the middle of the peristyle.)
3. How does the servant carry the water? (In what manner - quo modo)
Serva aquam in urna portat. (The servant carries water in a jar.)
4.To whom does Barbara give a rose?
Barbara rosam servae dat. (Barbara gives the rose to the servant.)
5. Why is Barbara happy?
Barbara est laeta quod serva est laeta. (Barbara is happy because the servant is happy.)
Part III.
In the atrium of the villa (hosue) are the friends of Dioscurus. Marcus is a bright general. Marcus is a Roman. He does not live in the house. He lives in the Roman army camp. The bright general fights in many battles. Marcus has a helmet and shield. Marcus also has a sword and a javelin. Marcus fights with sword and javelin ("with" is understood). The bright general wounds men. He kills men. He attacks the walls of the of the town. He attacks the barbarian towns (or "towns of the barbarians"). He attacks the village. Marcus' danger is great, but his boldness is also great. Marcus loves war. Marcus has much money and much booty. Today, however, he does not fight. The sword of Marcus is in the sheath. Today Marcus is in the house of Dioscurus. Marcus, the bright general, is the friend of Dioscurus.
Donatus is also a friend of Dioscurus. Donatus is not a general. Donatus is a bright poet. The poet is a good man. The poet does not love war.The poet does not have weapons. The poet does not have a sword and javelin. Donatus loves the earth, the moon, the stars, the roads, and the forests. Donatus also loves boys and girls. The poet looks at the peristyle. He sees the girl and exclaims, "Look! The girl is beautiful. The girl is a beautiful rose." Dioscurus and Marcus look at the girl. "Barbara is beautiful," thinks Dioscurus. "The girl is a beautiful rose," exclaims Marcus.
TIDBIT:
1. "pugnat" "pugnat" can be translated "he fights," "he does fight," "he is fighting"
2. "pueros puellasque" translated as boys and girls (plural accusative). When the "que" in used instead of "and" (et), it is called an enclitic.
3. "Specta!" This is in the imperative mood. If it were plural, it would be "spectate."
Exercises:
English translation of the questions and answers in Latin.
1. Where are the friends of Dioscurus?
In atrio villa amici Dioscurus sunt. (The friends of Dioscurus are in the atrium of the house.)
2. With what arms does Marcus fight?
Marcus gladio et pilo, galeo et scuto pugnat. (Marcus fights with sword and javelin, helmet and shield.)
3. What kind of man is Donatus?
Donatus est vir bonus. (Donatus is a good man.)
4. What (things) does Donatus love?
Donatus terram, lunam, stellas, vias, silvas, pueros, et puellas amat. (Donatus loves the earth, the moon, the stars, the roads, the forests, boys, and girls.)
5. Whom does Donatus see in the peristyle.
Donatus Barbaram in peristylo videt. (Donatus sees Barbara in the peristyle.
Part IV
In the evening the friends of Dioscurus are again in the atrium. Barbara is also in the atrium. The atrium is pleasing to Barbara. The atrium is big and beautiful. Marble columns, statues, and beautiful pictures decorate the atrium. No pictures of Christ nor the Virgin Mary decorate the atrium. Dioscurus is not a Christian. He has neither statues nor pictures of the God of the Christians. Near the impluvium, however, is a magnificent statue of Jove. There is also a marble table in the atrium. On the tale is a large book. The general gives the book to Barbara. The book is the gift of the general. There are many pictures and many stories in the book. The girl praises the book. The words of Barbara are pleasing to the general. Barbara looks at the pictures and reads:
The Romans worship many gods. Many temples of the gods are in the Roman Forum. the Romans sacrifice many victims to the Roman gods and goddesses. Jupiter is the king of the gods. Jupiter has great authority. Juno is queen of the gods. Neptune is god of the sea. Minerva is the god of wisdom.
"Look!" exclaims Barbara. "It is a picture of Diana. I love Diana. She is the goddess of the moon. At night I always look at the moon and stars."
"Apollo is the brother of Diana," says Marcus. "Apollo is god of the sun. Apollo is beautiful, Barbara."
"Look (Behold)! A picture of the god of the sun! There is also a picture of a nymph in the picture." Again Barbara reads: (continued in next part)
Exercises
1. Of what kind (or quality) is the atrium?
Atrium magnum et pulchrum est. (The atrium is big and beautiful.)
2. Why does Dioscurus not have pictures and statues of Christ in the artrim.
Dioscurus non est Christianus. (Dioscurus is not a Christian.)
3. Who gives Barbara the gift? What is the gift?
Marcus (Legatus) Barbarae donum dat. (Marcus give Barbara the gift.)
Donum volumen est. (The gift is a book.)
4. From what does Barbara read?
Barbara de magno volumine legit. (Barbara reads from the large book.) "volumen": 3rd declension neuter noun
5. What is the name of the brother of Diana?
Apollo frater Dianae est. (Apollo is the brother of Diana.)
Part V
"The Nymph is Daphne. Apollo loved the nymph. He wanted to marry the nymph (literally, to lead the nymph into marriage). Marriage was not pleasing to the nymph. Daphne wanted to wander in the woods. The nymph carried a beautiful arrow. Daphne loved the arrow. The nymph did not love the god of the sun. Apollo approached. Daphne prayed, and the gods saved the nymph. The gods changed the form of the nymph. Now Daphne does not have hair (hair- also capillus). She does not have arms. Daphne has leaves and branches. Daphne is a laurel tree. Apollo is miserable. The god of the sun will always love the laurel tree. The laurel will be the tree of the gods."
“The story about the nymph is pleasing,” says Barbara. “Daphne was good. To me also marriage is not pleasing. Diana was a virgin (an unmarried women). I also will be a virgin."
Dioscurus looked at his beautiful daughter. The words of Barbara were not pleasing to Dioscurus. “I will change the mind of the girl,” thinks Dioscurus. "My daughter will not give glory in war. She ought to give glory in marriage.”
“Christians," answers Donatus, "do not worship the Roman gods. They do not have many gods. Christians have one God. The God of the Christians is good and kind. He is a God of peace. He is not a God of war."
“A God of peace!” exclaims Marcus, “A God of peace is a feminine God. Mars is my god. Mars is strength. He is a god of war. A god of peace is not pleasing to a soldier."
“Christians praise the God of peace. War does not delight the Christians,” responds Donatus.
“Christians are stupid,” cries Dioscurus.
“Are Jupiter and Mars truly divine, Dioscurus? The God of the Christians is powerful and eternal. The God of the Christians always was and will always be. He created the earth, the sea, the hills, and mountains. The sun, the moon and the stars are works of his hands. Christians teach all these things.”
“Did he create the stars, my little stars?” asks Barbara. “I love the stars. The God of the Christians is good and kind. I worship the God of the Christians. We will have a statue of the God of the Christians in the atrium won’t we?”
“Barbara,” cries angry Dioscurus, “My daughter is not a slave. Christians are slaves and prisoners. Slaves are not free.”
“In the eyes of the new God according to the teaching of the Christians there are no slaves,” answers the poet. “All men are free. The God of the Christians loves kings and soldiers, rulers and prisoners, men and women, boys and girls equally. He heals the poor, the blind and the crippled. He is a kind god, a merciful god. Truly, Dioscurus, these new teachings seem pleasing to me.” (videntur when passive goes from “is seen” to “seems”)
"Our gods are not kind, cries Barbara. "They have many faults. Juno is the queen of the gods but a haughty and envious goddess." Today Callisto, a beautiful woman of Arcadia, is a bear, because Juno is a jealous goddess and does not love beautiful women. I do not want to adore a haughty and jealous god. I want to adore a kind god."
The eyes of Barbara were clear. The girl was happy. Again Dioscurus looked at his daughter. Dioscurus was not happy.
TIDBIT
This section of the story introduces the imperfect (past) tense. While most of the story is told in the present tense (putat, inquit, respondet, rogat), the author uses one imperfect tense in the story (spectabat) and one in the questions (habitabat). The difference between the use of perfect and imperfect will be discussed in the next section (Part VI)
Exercises
1. Does the story about the nymph delight Barbara?
Fabula de nympha delectabat Barbaram. (The story about the nymph delights Barbara.)
2. Do the words of Barbara delight Dioscurus? Why?
Verba Barbarae Dioscurum non delectant quod Barbara Deum Christianorum amat. (The words of Barbara do not please Dioscurus because Barbara loved the God of the Christians.)
3. Of what kind of God is the God of the Christians?
Deus Christianorum est bonus et benignes et Deus pacis. (The God of the Christians is good and kind and a God of peace.)
4. Who was Callisto? Where did she live?
Callisto erat femina pulchra. Habitabat in Arcadia. (Callisto was a beautiful woman. She lived in Arcadia.)
5. Why was Dioscurus unhappy (miserable)?
Barbara deos Romanorum non amat. (Barbara does not love the gods of the Romans.)
Part VI
It was night. The moon was bright. Many stars were in the sky. Men and women were resting the mind in sleep. But sleep did not hold Barbara. The marvelous words of the poet disturbed the mind of the girl. Finally she prayed, "God of the Christians, give your help. You are merciful. You care for the blind and sick, the slaves and the free man. Care for me. I love you." The earth was silent. The stars were whispering, "Hope in God." At first light Barbara was again happy and serene. The God of the Christians had pacified the mind of the girl.
The home of Dioscurus had a high and large tower. He wanted to prohibit (deny access) the friends from the girl. And so he hid Barbara in the tower. Barbara lived in the tower. Now she did not walk in the peristyle. Now she did not eat with her father in the dining room. Many friends visited Dioscurus but Barbara never saw the friends of her father. The poet never told stories to Barbara of the new God. The servants of Barbara were kind, but the daughter of Dioscurus was truly a prisoner in the tower. Barbara, however, was not sad. "God," the poet had said, "loves prisoners and victors." The stars whispered, "Hope in God." Barbara held these wonderful words always in her memory.
In the old days boys were taught in school by a teacher. But girls remained (at home) and learned with the mother. The mother of Barbara, however, was dead. "Marcus," thought Dioscurus, "he will be my son-in-law. He will not want to lead into marriage an untrained woman. And so (therefore) Dioscurus obtained good teachers for his daughter. Among these teachers there was a man named Valentinus. The daughter of Dioscurus was a diligent and studious student. In a short time she was reading Virgil's Aeneid with Valentinus. One day she was reading verses about Juno. Suddenly Barbara exclaimed, "Juno is a jealous goddess. She always harms (injures) Aeneas. The deeds of this goddess are not pleasing to me. Do you have a book in which there are stories of the God of the Christians? He is a good and merciful god. He created the stars and the moon. He loves all men, servants and free men. Once the poet Donatus told all these things to me, You are a learned teacher. You know everything. You do know the beautiful stories of the God of the Christians, don't you?"
The words of the little student were pleasing to Valentinus because he was himself a Christian. "Certainly Barbara," responded Valentinus. "I know many beautiful stories of the God of the Christians." And so, (therefore) day by day, Valentinus taught his student the doctrines of Christ. With great joy, Barbara heard the words of Valentinus and after a few months she is baptized. Then Barbara was incredibly happy. "I will never marry," said the girl. "I will give my heart to Christ. The God of the Christians will be my spouse." Valentinus was also incredibly happy. He looked at his student and smiled. Then he said, "The spouse of Christ ought to be well trained. Now we will read Virgil's Aeneid. Virgil is a bright poet, Barbara."
TIDBITS
1. The imperfect tense: In this part of the story, the author moves from telling the story in the present tense to the past tense. In Latin there are several modes of past tenses. The one used in this story is the imperfect tense. That is, a past tense in which the sense of the action is ongoing: She was crying, as opposed to she cried. In the perfect tense, the action is completed. Consult a summary of forms chart for the conjugation of verbs in the imperfect tense. (Example: amabat)
2. The future tense is also used in the dialogue of the story: desiderabit
3. a puella - quite often the preposition "ab" is abbreviated to "a" just as the preposition "ex" is abbreviated to "e." Also, in the dictionary of Olim Erat, the definition of "a, ab" should include the word "with."
4. baptizata est is in the perfect passive tense.
Exercises
1. What disturbed Barbara? Verba mira poetae mentem puellae turbabant. (The marvelous words of the poet disturb the mind of the girl.)
2. Why did Dioscurus hide Barbaram in the tower? Dioscurus amicos a puella arcere desiderabat. (He wanted to keep friends at a distance (or deny access) from the girl.)
3. Why did Dioscurus obtain a teacher for Barbara?
Dioscurus magistros obinebat quod filiam suam indoctam in matrimonium ducere non desiderabat. (Dioscurus obtained teachers because he does not want his unlearned daughter to be led into marriage [to marry].)
4. Who was Aeneas?
Aeneas erat homo in Aeneide Virgili. (Aeneas was a man in Virgil's Aeneid.) Aeneide is 3rd declension noun in ablative case. Virgil is in the genitive case.
5. Where was Barbara baptized?
Barbara in turri baptizata est. (Barbara was baptized in the tower.)
Part VII
After a short time, Discurus visited Barbara. he gave a gift to Barbara, a necklace of pearls. "you are no longer a little girl, " he said. "you no longer will live in the tower."
"I give thanks to you father. The necklace is very beautiful. it is pleasing to me. It is also pleasing to live in the house with my father. Will I see your friends? Will I see the poet Donatum?"
But Dioscurus: "They come often to my home. To see my daughter will be pleasing to me. You, however, will not live in my house. You will live in a big and beautiful hosue." Barbara did not understand her father's words. "I will live along in a big house?"
"you are no longer a little girl, Barbara," responded Dioscurus. "Do you hold in your memory my friend, Marcus. He desires to marry my daughter."
"Never," exclaimed the girl, "will I marry Marcus. I do not desire to marry."
Dioscurus realized the stubborness of Barbara. "Don't get agitated," he said gently. "You don't marry Marcus today. After a short time you will change your mind. Marcus is a bright general. He loves my daughter. Soon, Barbara, you will love Marcus and you will desire to marry the strong soldier. You are a good girl. You will always give obedience to your father."
Dioscurus was out of the province for a short time. He was traveling to Athens. Before his departure, he had orderd her servants to build a bath for Barbara. Out of the tower window Barbara is watching the slaves. All the slaves loved the daugher of Dioscurus. The girl was always good and kind. She was always a friend to the slaves and so (therefore) they worked with great swiftness. Also they changed the order of Dioscurus according to the desires of Barbara. The father of the girl had ordered the servants to make 2 windows in the bath. "Make 3," Barbara had prayed. "I will take the blame." And so the servants made 3 windows. "Dioscurus will be angry," they said, "but 3 windows will delight the little lady."
Finally Dioscurus returned. "Why," he asked, "did you want 3 windows in the bath."
"Because," Barbara responded, "I wish to honor the Holy Trinity." Then without fear, she began to explain many things about the Redemption, many things about the life and death of Christ. "Donatus said true things (spoke truth). The God of the Christians is good and kind. I have given my heart to the God of the Christians. Jesus of Nazareth is my spouse."
Dioscurus cried with anger, "Are you insane? My daughter will never be a Christian. Today you will marry Marcus."
"Never, never," said Barbara again and again, "will I marry Marcus."
Exercises
1. Dioscurus never was visiting his daughter. False
1. Dioscurus never was visiting his daughter. False
Correction: Dioscurus filiam suam visitabat.
2. Barbara gave her father a beautiful gift. False
Correction: Dioscurus filiae suae donum pulchrum.
3. Barbara had reached the age of matrimony. True
4. The daughter of Dioscurus wanted to marry the poet Donatus. False
Correction: Filia Dioscuri Donato poetae nubere non cupiebat.
5. Barbara was desiring to marry Marcus because he was a strong soldier. False
Correction: Barbara Marco nubere non desiderabat.
6. Two years Dioscurus was away from home. False
Correction: Breve tempus Dioscurus domo aberat.
7. Barbara desired 3 doors in the bath. False
Correction: Barbara tres fenestras in balneo desiderabat.
8. The slaves changed the orders of Dioscurus. True
9. After a short while he returned from Athens. True
10. Three servants had built the bath. False
Correction: Servi tres fenestras in balneo aedificaverunt.
Part VIII
With great madness Dioscurus drew out his sword from the sheath. The angry father intended to kill the girl. Barbara, however, avoided the danger and fled into the forest. The girl ran through the forest, but Dioscurus also ran. After a short time, Barbara was tired. She ran here and there distracted. Finally she was not now tempted to run. Whereupon/Then Dioscurus apprehended his daughter. He beat the girl and dragged her home. He had changed his mind. He did not kill Barbara.
"If you will marry Marcus, Barbara," he said, "you will be happy. Marcus has much money. He will give beautiful gems and gifts of great price to you. He is not a slave. The Christians are slaves. They worship their God against the Roman law. Change your mind!"
"I am a Christian, Father. I will always be a Christian. Christians are not slaves. They are friends of God. I love the God of the Christians. Never will I marry Marcus. I want no spouse except Christ. I accept (will take/have) no lover except Christ."
In vain Dioscurus prayed/pleaded. In vain the father punished. The girl always answered,
"Nothing will separate your daughter from Christ. This one (He) is my spouse. I gave my heart to Christ."
Finally the cruel father with great fury handed Barbara to Martin, the prefect of the Roman province, for punishment. Barbara was flogged with rods and was whipped with unspeakable cruelty. Between the creaking and the blows/strikes the thin beautiful voice of the virgin was heard, "I will not adore false gods. Christ is my spouse."
By night Christ came in a vision to the prison and healed all the wounds of the virgin. At dawn Barbara was led out of the prison. Again the girl was flogged with rods. However, Barbara was faithful. For Christ, Divine Lover, she is ready to shed her blood. At last Martin ordered Barbara to be beheaded. And thus it was done. The virgin bent her neck. Then the inhumane father, greatly angry drew the sword out of the scabbard and beheaded his daughter. Barbara was dead.
In life she had said, "I will take no lover except Christ." Now the virgin is with her spouse in heaven. Never from Christ, Divine Lover, will she be separated.
Exercises
1. What did Dioscurus intend to do?
Dioscurus puellam necare in animo habebat. (Dioscurus intended to kill the girl.)
2. In what way (How) does Barbara avoid danger?
Barbara in silvam fugit (Barbara fled into the forest.)
3. Where was the sword of Dioscurus?
Gladius Dioscuri erat in vagina. (The sword of Dioscurus was in the sheath.)
4. Why does Barbara not desire to marry Marcus?
Barbara sponsus Christi est. (Barbara is the spouse of Christ.)
5. Who was Martinanus?
Martinianus est praefectus Romani. (Martin is the prefect of Rome.)
6. When night came, what did Christ do?
Christus vulnera virginis sanavit. (Christ healed the wounds of the virgin.)
7. Where was Barbara spending the night before death?
Barbara noctem ante mortem in carcere (ablative ending, 3rd declension) agebat. (Barbara was spending the night before death in prison.)
8. Who orders the daughter to be killed?
Martinianus Barbaram interfici iussit. (Martin ordered Barbara to be killed.)
9. Who beheaded Barbara?
Pater inhumanus filiam suam decollavit. (The inhumane father beheaded his daughter.)
10. Where is Barbara now?
Barbara est cum Sponso suo in coelis. (Barbara is with her spouse in the heavens.)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Story #1 translation
1. Ave Maria
The Virgin Mary is the mother of God. Mary is also my mother. Jesus gives me His mother because He loves me. Mary also loves me. I love Mary, and often I greet my heavenly mother with these words and I ask her help:
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Exercises
A. Translation of the sentences followed by answers in Latin. (Answers can be done orally or can be written by the student.) Use the opening text (above) to find the answers.
1. Who is the Mother of God
Answer: Maria est Mater Dei. OR Mater Dei Maria est.
2. Is she also your mother?
Answer: Maria est quoque mater mea. OR Maria quoque mater mea est.
3. Why did Jesus give his mother to me?
Answer: Iesus Matrem suam mihi dat quia Iesus me amat.
4. With what words do I greet Mary?
Answer: Mariam cum verbis "Ave Maria" saluto. OR Ego Mariam cum verbis "Ave Maria" saluto.
5. What do I ask Mary?
Answer: Mariam eius auxilium rogo.
TIDBIT:
Word order matters in Latin!!
The most important places in a Latin sentence are the first word and the last word. Words are placed at the beginning to show emphasis. Verbs are usually at the end. Think of this when translating and answering the questions in this section. More about word order will be discussed as it comes up in other stories in this text.
The Virgin Mary is the mother of God. Mary is also my mother. Jesus gives me His mother because He loves me. Mary also loves me. I love Mary, and often I greet my heavenly mother with these words and I ask her help:
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee
Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Exercises
A. Translation of the sentences followed by answers in Latin. (Answers can be done orally or can be written by the student.) Use the opening text (above) to find the answers.
1. Who is the Mother of God
Answer: Maria est Mater Dei. OR Mater Dei Maria est.
2. Is she also your mother?
Answer: Maria est quoque mater mea. OR Maria quoque mater mea est.
3. Why did Jesus give his mother to me?
Answer: Iesus Matrem suam mihi dat quia Iesus me amat.
4. With what words do I greet Mary?
Answer: Mariam cum verbis "Ave Maria" saluto. OR Ego Mariam cum verbis "Ave Maria" saluto.
5. What do I ask Mary?
Answer: Mariam eius auxilium rogo.
TIDBIT:
Word order matters in Latin!!
The most important places in a Latin sentence are the first word and the last word. Words are placed at the beginning to show emphasis. Verbs are usually at the end. Think of this when translating and answering the questions in this section. More about word order will be discussed as it comes up in other stories in this text.
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