Saturday, May 17, 2025

29.08.25: topic; Dialogī puerīlēs (Simon Roeth: 1556) [1] dē tempore (i) text and translation

If, for example, we were learning French, it’s highly unlikely we would use a book written in the 16th century. Even in Latin we may be wary of considering anything written in the style that the images show. However, the Latin used in these dialogues contains a wide range of vocabulary and phrases, and when we see them presented in a more contemporary way, it becomes obvious that the 16th century kids are learning to speak Latin. The dialogues are topic based, Roeth providing specific questions and options in terms of answers. 

The original text is in Latin and German, and so the image is only for quick reference. The English translations and macrons are mine. Features of spelling influenced by, for example, the (Late) Middle Ages e.g. seculum rather than saeculum, hyems instead of hiems, preciosissimus instead of pretiosissimus I have changed.

The book itself (the only online copy I could find) is available at:

https://books.google.co.th/books?id=6Bp63CiwqSEC&pg=PP5&hl=th&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

DIALOGUS QUĀRTUS dē tempore │ FOURTH DIALOGUE concerning the time

A: Loquāmur dē tempore. │Let’s talk about time.

B: Lubēns hoc faciō. │ I like doing that. [ = literally:  I do that willingly]

A: Quid est tempus? │ What is time?

B: Pretiōsissimus thēsaurus. │ A very precious treasure.

A: Tempus quōmodo dīviditur?  │ How is time divided?

B: In variās speciēs. │ Into various kinds.

A: Recēnsē mihi quāsdam. │ Go over some for me.

B: Saeculum, decennium, quīnquennium, triennium, biennium, annus │ century, decade, a period of five years, a period of three years (triennium), a period of two years, year

A: Quot sunt annī partēs? │ How many parts of the year are there?

B: Quattuor sciō. │ I know four.

A: Ēnumerā mihi. │ Count (them) for me.

B: Vēr, aetās, autumnus, hiems │ Spring, summer, autumn, winter

A: Annus quot mēnsēs habet? │ How many months does a year have?

B: Duodecim. │ Twelve.

A: Recēnsē ōrdine. │ Review (them) in order.

B: Faciam perīculum. │ I’ll try. [ = literally: I’ll make an attempt / I’ll take a risk]

A: Fac igitur. │ Do it then / so, do it [= literally:  therefore do (it)]

B: Iānuārius, Februārius, Mārtius, Aprīlis, Maius, Iūnius, Iūlius, Augustus, September, Octōber, November, December │ January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

A: Dīc minōrēs annī partēs. │ Say the smaller parts of the year.

B: Hebdomas, diēs, nox, aurōra │ Week, day, night, dawn

A: Haec apta studiīs. Perge dīcere. │These (are) suitable for study. Carry on saying (them).

B: Hōra, sēmihōra, sēsquihōra, dīlūculum, merīdiēs, vesper, nudius tertius │hour, half an hour, hour and a half, daybreak, midday, evening, day before yesterday

A: Quandō fuistī in scholā? │ When were you in school?

B: Heri, hodiē, nūper, iam prīmum │ Yesterday, today, recently, just now

A: Quandō mē tēcum dūcēs? │When will you take me with you?

B: Crās, perendiē, cotīdiē, aut quandō lubet. │ Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, every day, or when you want [= literally:  when it pleases].

A: Grātum mihi erit. │I’ll like that [= literally:  it will be pleasing to me]


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