Ancient Greek and Latin Dictionaries

[WanderAimlessly]

I am think a getting a series of books, at least the first 3 of 9 volumes, on Philosphy that are from a Catholic perspective.

However, in reading some reviews of the books, one of the criticisms of the books is that it has many quotes from some of the Philosphers in the original languages (Ancient Greek, Latin, French, etc) without a translation into English. I have checked the books, and this is true.

I am wondering what would be good, and relatively inexpensive, dictionaries of Ancent Greek and Latin to allow me to translate the quotes.

PF

 

[squirt]

WanderAimlessly:

I am think a getting a series of books, at least the first 3 of 9 volumes, on Philosphy that are from a Catholic perspective.

However, in reading some reviews of the books, some of the criticism of the books is that it has many quotes in some of the Philosphers orgiginal language (Ancient Greek, Latin, French, etc) without a translation into English. I have checked the books, and this is true.

I am wondering what would be, and relatively inexpensive, dictionaries of Ancent Greek and Latin to allow me to translate the quotes.

PF

Must be the Copleston series, eh? It would take a while to learn enough Greek and Latin to be able to translate the quotes … you’d need to know grammar as well as vocabulary. They’re not easy languages to translate. As for the French, I don’t remember too many French citations … but maybe there were and I didn’t notice much, since I’m fluent in French.

The later volumes actually provide translations for the quotes … too bad the early ones don’t.

Those books were one of the main reasons that I started trying to learn Latin.

PS … I find that my favourite Latin dictionary for theology/philosophy stuff is the Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

squirt:

Must be the Copleston series, eh? It would take a while to learn enough Greek and Latin to be able to translate the quotes … you’d need to know grammar as well as vocabulary. They’re not easy languages to translate.

Yep, it is Copelston. I am not trying for a complete translation, just enough to get the jist of what the quotes are.

However, at some point in time, I would like to learn Latin and maybe Ancient Greek.

As for the other languages, I could probably muddle through on any German quotes, if I get that far since, I learned it as a child and had 2 years in High School (I drove the German teacher bonkers since I spoke a dialect version of German :whacky: ).
PF

 

[DaveBj]

Trust me on this (much of my 33-year career was as a translator)–squirt is right–it takes a lot more than a dictionary to translate that level of Latin and Greek. It would take probably at least a year, maybe two, of intensive (several hours per day) training in each language to be able to translate that.

Sorry–I know that’s not the answer you wanted. It’s unfortunate that writers of that era felt they had to leave their footnoted quotes in their original languages. I ran into the same problem with Schaff’s five-volume History of the Christian Church.

DaveBj

 

[otm]

Good luck on reading Copelston. He was our textbook in my undergraduate degree in Philosophy (history), and you are in for some very deep reading.

And I agree; trying to get a dictionary that will translate isn’t going to be very fruitful. Having said that, I suspect that therever you are buying Copleston, you can find a dictionary.

 

[WanderAimlessly]

squirt:

Thanks for the recommendation on the Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin ( I did not see it until I read the post today. Your edit any my reply must of crossed paths). I have heard of that one and have it on my short list for the Latin side of the question.

Now if I can only get an answer on the Greek side without people telling me to forget it . Being of Irish and German descent (and getting the worst ends of both), I am pigheaded enough to do it just to prove them wrong :banghead:

I am the type of person who learns by just doing. That is how I taught myself much of the compter skills I use today in my Job.

I am constantly trying to expand my knowledge. Learning other languages is just one area that I am trying to do that.

PF