Talk about compelling reading!

As you may know, I have begun to learn and teach Latin at the request of my grown daughter. And I am learning it the way I advise world language teachers to teach: with comprehensible input. I have been reading books in Latin that are comprehensible and interesting to me.  A recent one is HOBBITVS ILLE (The Hobbit).  It was a bit of a stretch for me to read it, but I read for the joy of it and then I read it again, this time I took copious notes. This blogpost is the result.

Here’s what’s in this post:

  • Gems in The Translator’s Introduction
  • Reasons to Read The Hobbit in Latin
  • Attention to Detail—Especially in The Maps
  • So Many Rejoinders!

(These 52 rejoinders are going to be so fun and useful in class!)

  • Interesting and Wise Sayings

(I’m looking forward to using these with students to enrich their lives)

 

I’m rather new to Latin, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading Hobbitvs Ille (It helped that I had read and heard it many times in English).

If you are experienced with Latin:

• At what level of proficiency would you say this book is written?

• Would it be suitable for students in Latin III or IV?

• If so, would you use it for whole class reading or for independent reading?

 

GEMS IN THE TRANSLATOR’S INTRODUCTION

I knew I had a encountered a kindred spirit as soon as I read this paragraph in the translator’s introduction:

There is, as anyone who has taken the trouble to study Latin knows, a curious gap in the available reading material. On the one hand are simplified stories for classroom use, on the other the glories of high Latin literature – but remarkably little in between… What for the reader who just wants to read Latin – the very idea – for fun? … it is a Latin text whose principal aim is to be read solely for the pleasure of reading. p. V  (underlining mine)

He wrote the translation to be read for pleasure—the best way for all of us to voluntarily acquire language and stick with it.

Later, he explains that his aim in translating The Hobbit was:

… to present Tolkien’s words as faithfully and as comprehensibly as possible for the enjoyment of contemporary Latinists. (p. VI)

The phrases jump out to anyone that is familiar with teaching with comprehensible input: “the pleasure of reading”, “comprehensibly”, and “for the enjoyment” of readers. Stephen Krashen couldn’t have said it better. I’ve always liked The Hobbit, but as a new Latin learner, the idea of reading purely for enjoyment greatly appealed to me. That, plus the recommendation of fellow local Latin teacher, the renowned Tim Smith, persuaded me to get the book and dive in. That’s the way I believe language should be taught and that’s the way I teach and learn—with interesting comprehensible input.

 

REASONS TO READ THE HOBBIT IN LATIN

Other reasons I was attracted to HOBITTVS ILLE:

  • The Hobbit is well known, one of the most well-known children’s books, a classic of children’s literature and fantasy fiction.
  • Tolkien did not use trendy language or slang.
  • Being written by an Oxford Don, the language use is eloquent, even in translation.
  • The Hobbit was written for Tolkien’s own children, so even though the vocabulary is not controlled per se, it is much simpler than the language in the classics and therefore easier to read in translation.
  • The expressions are eloquent, but uncomplicated. They sound natural—many seem to be well-suited for rejoinders in a Latin class (See the upcoming section).

Tolkien’s translator, Mark Walker, shows he gets the Roman maxim Repetitio mater studiorum est, because it is by repetition we learn. Some words and expressions are repeated over and over. For example, I started noticing the word nihilominus (often translated as nevertheless), when I was about a third of the way through the book. That word appeared three times in two pages (pp. CLII-CLIII), and again soon after (p. CLVIII). Those repetitions caught my attention.

Using that one word, nihilominus, instead of the many different expressions in the original English was helping me. In the English translation Tolkien used several words and phrases that are translated as nihilominus by Mark Walker. When I reread the book I noticed nihilominus all over the place. I didn’t, however, see the common translation nevertheless used when I hunted for those passages in the original English version of The Hobbit. Here are a few examples of expressions by professor Tolkien that were translated as nihilominus:

– certainly  (p. XVI / p. 11)

–  still  (p. XVII / p. 11)

– all the same (p. XX / p. 14)

– even so (p. CLII / p. 153)

 – still (p. CLII / p. 154)

– all the same (p. CLII / p. 154)

– all the same ( p. CCLX / p. 266)

– at the same time  (p. CCLXXIII / p. 279)

– yet  (p. CCLXXIV  / p. 280)

– well  (p. CCLXXVII / p. 284)

– anyway  (p. CCLXXVII / p. 284)

– all the same (p. CCLXXXII / p. 288)

– yet (P. CCXCVI / p. 304)

– yet (P. CCXCVII / p. 304)

In addition, these three factors Attention to Detail, Rejoinders, plus Interesting and Wise Sayings drew me deeper into the novel and made me admire it even more the further I read.

 

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

The work and attention to detail involved in the making of this book is impressive. Perhaps few readers of the English version of The Hobbit will have noticed that the language written with runes on Thorin’s map are not written in an invented language, but in English. Once you know the rune code, you will be able to read the words on the map. Mark Walker, the translator, used those runes to write on the map in Latin using the same code invented by Tolkien.

 

 

 

 

 

iuxta lapidem glaucum

sta cum turdus pulsat

et sol occidens in luce

ultima Diei Durini

claustellum illuminabit.

Stand by the grey stone

 when the thrush knocks,

 and the setting sun

 with the last light of Durin’s Day

will shine upon the key-hole.

 

Here is the code I noticed years ago while reading The Hobbit in English. Many of the “runes” are just angular, flipped, or sideways versions of English script—just look at B, E, H, M, R, S, T, and U for example. I was delighted that the editors of HOBBITVS ILLE went to the trouble of using the same rune code to write the “secret messages” in Latin on the map that Gandalf gave to Thorin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Translating more runes into Latin:

quinque pedes altitudine ianua et in latum tres ambulant. (p, XXXIV)

Five feet high the door and three may walk abreast.

 Convivium?

I was puzzled right from the start by the title of chapter 1 in Latin: CONVIVIVM INOPINATVM when I saw the word convivium. I remembered reading this passage in Cicero:

Bene enim maiores accubitionem epularem amicorum, quia vitae coniunctionem haberet, convivium nominaverunt

I had assumed that convivium was a passé word in Latin, even in Cicero’s time. But I was pleased it was used because what happens in that unexpected party matches closely with Cicero’s description of a convivium. Turns out convivium is still used. My bad.

 

REJOINDERS

Here are 52 rejoinders, or short pithy responses, from HOBBITVS ILLE that would be handy for teachers or students to use and say. Students could blurt them out during class, especially during stories, or the teacher could say them to students. Either way, rejoinders cut down on the amount of English needed in Latin class. Read more about using REJOINDERS in class here.

Page numbers with Roman numerals are from HOBBITVS ILLE, Harper Collins, 2012.

Page numbers with Arabic numbers are from The Hobbit, Easton Press, 1984.

bonum mane!  (p. XVIII)                             Good morning!  (p. 12)

quid vis?  (p. XVIII)                                       What do you want? What do you wish?  “What do you mean?” (p. 12)        

o me felicem!  (p. XIX)                                Makes me happy! How happy I am!  Good gracious me!

me miserum!  (p. XIX)                                Woe is me!

scilicet!   (p. XXX)                                          Of course!  Certainly!

misellum salaputium  (p. LI)                    Poor little blighter!                        (Apparently not a phrase from classical Latin)

noli interrumpere!  (p. LVIII)                     Don’t interrupt!                             

tacite, tacite! Homines Boni!  (p. LXIV)   Hush, hush! Good people!          

In class, I might change this to: tacite, tacite! Discipuli Boni!              Hush, hush! Good students!

tibi servio!  (p. LXXVII)                                                At your service!                                            

opportunitatem nobis da.  (p. LXXXIX)                  Give us a chance. (p. 86)

servus tuus.  (p. CVI)                                                Your servant, I am your servant.              

gerrae! (p. CX and p. CCXXV)                     Nonsense! (p. 108)           (This does not seem to be a classic Latin expression.)

quid agemus? (p. CXI)                                                           What shall we do?  What are we going to do?

válete quocumque valetis! (caput VII, p. CXXV)                Farewell, wherever you fare! Goodbye, wherever you go!

di me ament! (caput VII, p. CXL)                                            Bless me! May the gods favor me!

nolite a semita abscedere! (caput VII, p. CXLVIII)              Don’t leave the path! (p. 150)                   

postremus semper sum , quod non mihi placet. (p. CLIV)          I’m always last and I don’t like it. (p. 155) 

quodcumque agemus? (p. CLIX)                           Whatever shall we do? (p. 160) 

lente sed constanter (p. CLXXIII)                            Slowly but steadily (p. 176)

nihil temporis nunc! (p. CLXXXVII)                         No time now! (p. 190)

pro fidem! (p. CLXXXVII & p. CCXXXI)                      Upon my word! Bless me! (p. 191)

Literally, “For the faith!” Used to emphasize sincerity or trustworthiness.

pergite laborare! (p. CXC)                                        Get on with the work! (p. 194)

facite quod dico! (p. CXC)                                        Do as I say! (p. 194)

nihil temporis nunc!  (p. CXCVI)                             No time now!  (p. 200)

pro fide! (p. CCXVI) Literally, “For the faith!”         Good gracious! (p. 222)  A way of expressing mild shock.

quidcumque acturus sum? (p. CCXVI)                 Whatever am I going to do?

feliciter tibi! (p. CCXXI)                                              Good luck! (p. 225)

qui es tu et unde venis, quaeso? (p. CCXXIX)     Who are you and where do you come from, may I ask? (p. 235)

melius est! (p. CCXXX)                                              That’s better! (p. 235)

maxime! (p. CCXXX)                                                   Very well! Absolutely! Certainly! (p. 236)

scientia tua est obsoleta. (p. CCXXXIII)                 Your information is antiquated. (p. 238)

id coniecerim  (p. CCXXXIII)                                     I might have guessed it. (p. 238)

ianuam claudite! (p. CCXXXVIII)                              Shut the door! (p. 244)

quid postea?  (p. CCXLVI)                                         What next?

vera dicis!  (p. CCXLVI)                                              You speak the truth!

rectissime!  (p. CCXLVIII)                                          Quite right!

me miserum!  (p. CCXLIX)                                        Dear me!

aliquid insolitum fit!  (p. CCLXII)                            Something strange is happening!

ita credo  (p. CCLXXIV)                                              I believe it  (“I dare say!)  (p. 280)

fiat lux!  (p. CCLXXV)                                                 Let’s have a light! (p. 281)   Same as “There be light!” in Genesis 1.

ita vero (p. CCLXXVI)                                                  Quite so! (p. 283)

ita putaui  (p. CCLXXVII)                                           I thought as much (p. 283)

noli festinare  (p. CCLXXVII & CCLXXXIII)                Don’t be so hasty!  (p. 283 ), Not so hasty! (p. 289)

Reminds me of the saying by Julius Caesar:  festina lente  Make haste slowly.

macte virtute  (p. CCLXXVIII)                                   Well done!  (p. 284)

sunt semper plura de te quam aliquis expectat!  (p. CCLXXVIII)

I tell my students there is always more about you than anyone expects!  (p. 285)

omnia in tempore!  (p. CCLXXVIII)                          All in good time!  (p. 285)

me miserum! me miserum!  (p. CCLXXXI)            Dear me! Dear me!  (p. 287)

rebus etiam mutari licet  (p. CCLXXXII)                 Things may change yet.  (p. 288)

iterim, vale!  (p. CCLXXXIII)                                       In the meanwhile, farewell! (p. 289)Thori

Thorinus multos cognatos habuit (p. CCLXXXIV)               Thorin had many relatives. (290)

I didn’t realize that the Latin word cognatos meant relatives.  Makes sense because related words across different languages are cognates.

desistite!  (p. CCLXXXVI)                                            Halt!  (p. 292)

benignissimus es  (p. CCXCVII)                               Very kind of you (p. 304)

 

INTERESTING AND WISE SAYINGS

These sayings from HOBBITVS ILLE are wise and useful.

They seem more elegant in Latin:

The page numbers are from:  HOBBITVS ILLE, Harper Collins, 2012, and The Hobbit, Easton Press, 1984.

est multum de eo quam divinatis, et multo magis quam ipse cognoscit.  (p. XXXIII)

“There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself.”

I need to remind myself to remind my students of this.

nunc est res insolita, sed de rebus quae sunt bonae habere atque de diebus qui sunt boni agere celeriter dici possunt, minime audiri, dum res incommodae, palpitantes, etiam crudeles, fabulam bonum fieri possint atque nihilominus diutiores narrati.     (p. LXIV)

Now it is a strange thing, but things that are good to have and days that are good to spend are soon told about, and not much to listen to; while things that are uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome, may make a good tale and take a deal of telling anyway,  (p. 61)

This reminds me of something a student said in a story we were inventing  and acting out in class. He said he wanted to “write gory stories.” According to Tolkien, those kinds of “uncomfortable, palpitating, and even gruesome” things can make for a better tale—they make stories more interesting. Well said, Isaac!

domus eius fuit perfect, utrum tibi optime placuit cibus, aut somnus, aut labor, aut fabulas narrare, aut cantare, aut solum sedere et cogitare, aut mixtura iucunda omnium eorum.  (p. LXV)

His house was perfect, whether you liked food, or sleep, or work, or story-telling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.  (p. 61)

I want to make my own house this kind of house.

et thesaurum sapientiae atque dictionum sapientum, quas homines plerumque aut numquam audiurerunt aut quarum iamdudum obliti sunt, habent.  (p. LXXXIV)

And they (Hobbits) have a fund of wisdom and wise sayings that men have mostly never heard or have forgotten long ago. (chapter 5, Riddles in the Dark, p. 81)        

 One goal I have for my Latin students is to give them “a fund of wisdom and wise sayings” from the treasury of tried-and-true ancient Latin wisdom. This is done with well-known Latin mottoes that are used as daily passwords at the classroom door.

 subito in semita in fronte aliquae cervae albae apparuerunt, una cerva et hinnulei tam nivei quam cervus era ater. (p. CLVI)

Suddenly on the path ahead appeared some white deer, a hind and fawns as snowy white as the hart had been dark. (p. 157)

This remark reminds me of La corza blanca (The White Deer/Doe/Hind), a short story from Medieval Spain retold by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. His story was based on a Spanish legend about a beautiful shape-shifting trickster fairy. In European folklore a white deer could be a harbinger of either good fortune or impending danger—both of which happened soon afterwards in Hobbitvs Ille.

nihilominus, est ventus malus qui pro nemine bene flat  p. CCLX

It is an ill wind, all the same, that blows no one any good. (p. 266)   

Seems like I’ve read similar sayings in Latin but none come to mind at the moment…

quomodo vos sine amicitia benignitateque terrarum circum pascemini?   (p. CCLXXIII)

How shall you be fed without the friendship and goodwill of the lands about you?  (p.279)   

Independent and feisty Americans railing against the culture would do well to keep this in mind. We can fight for our values, but maintaining the friendship and goodwill of those about us is important.

est plus boni in te quam tu intellegis  (p. CCXCIV)          There is more in you of good than you know. (p. 301)

si plus nostri cibum atque iucunditatem atque cantum maioris quam aurum aceruatum aestimet, orbis iucunddior sit.  (p. CCXCIV)

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

(p. 301)   

So true. So true.

Nunc tu vero putas omnia facinora effugiaque tua casu ipso gest esse, quae tibi prodessent? (p. CCCX)

You don’t  really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit?

Our gaze too often turns incurvatus se, when it should be upwards and outwards.