I want to use "Life and death" in Latin as a title for an important writting, but I want to make sure its translation and context is correct:
Is this the correct way?: Vitam et Mortem
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3You have put them both in the accusative case when nothing (appears) to be happening to them. Is there some context here? "Life & death" of whom or what? The nominatives are "vita" & "mors", if that's any help.– tonyCommented Feb 3, 2020 at 16:38
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@tony Life and death in general context, like saying "I'm been thinking in life and death" not my life or death... just as a thought.– SxntkCommented Feb 3, 2020 at 17:04
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If you are thinking about....Then "concerning", in Latin: "de" + ablative case; giving "de vita et morte" = "concerning life & death". Further, "I am thinking" = "cogito" (Pock.Ox.Lat. Dict. gives: consider, ponder, meditate; look forward to; imagine) alternatively, "puto" = think, imagine, believe.– tonyCommented Feb 4, 2020 at 9:50
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1 Answer
This is kind of a subjective question. Here's what I can think of:
Vita et Mors (or Mors et Vita) -- I like this for its simplicity, readability, and recognizability.
Vita Morsque (Or Mors Vitaque) -- It means the same thing "Life and Death" but it is more idiomatic Latin, I think.
Res Vitae et Mortis -- "Res" means "matters, goings-on." This means "Matters of Life and Death"
De Vita et Morte -- Means "On/about life and death."
Vivendum et Moriendum -- Means "Living and Dying." This might be a good choice, as the Romans were quite fond of noun-ized verbs.
Per Vivendum, Per Moriendum -- Means "By living, By dying." This would give a sense of how you got your information. This would be good if your narrator is a ghost or omniscient in some way.
Vivere et Mori -- Means "To live and to die." This is probably the best translation of what you're looking for. Thank you to Cerebus for this suggestion.
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3Good suggestions! I'm a bit less certain about your gerunds, though. As subject or direct object, the infinitive is used, rather than the gerund, so vivere et mori.– Cerberus ♦Commented Feb 3, 2020 at 23:24
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Good point. The infinitives are a bit more general like Sxntk was wanting. I'll add those to my list. Commented Feb 4, 2020 at 16:52
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I do think the per + gerunds work as I mentioned. But, without prepositions, you're right that the standalone gerunds would be strange. Commented Feb 4, 2020 at 16:53
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Yes, I meant the lonely ones. I seem to remember preposition + -ndum is generally analysed as gerundive rather than gerund, though I forgot why.– Cerberus ♦Commented Feb 5, 2020 at 2:37
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I will use for simplicity Vita et Mors, thank you very much for your suggestion!– SxntkCommented Feb 5, 2020 at 14:12