***Crusty the Professors Occasional Lesson In Useful Linguistics*** Cogito, ergo caput meum dolet. I wrote earlier in the week, forgetting Latin is no longer routinely taught. The head-scratching this elicited prompted todays lesson in Useful Linguistics: This phrase is Latin for I think, therefore my head hurts. Be glad its not cogito ergo doleo - I think, threfore I am depressed. You are probably familiar with the famous phrase: Cogito, ergo sum — I think, therefore I am. Now for ten points, who said that and in what context? :-) *** Warning: Former English Teacher / Linguistic Mode Engaged *** You already now how to translate this phrase because you know these words. Cogito sounds like what? Cogitate. English for to think. Also Ergo - Latin that is commonly used in philosophical argument and in court for therefore. Caput is the root for the word decapitate meaning to cut off someones head. Capitate and its root caput means pertaining to the head. Meum again sounds like what? Me. Dolet sounds like...? Dolor or dolorous, meaning distress or pain. Put it all together....now you dont need no stinkin Google. Learn Latin word roots and youll be able to nominally follow written Spanish, Italian and often French and even Middle English, if youre thataway inclined. :-)
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 21:05:22 +0000
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