Practical tips in translating Latin sentence to English sentence

1. Start any sentence by identifying the subject (nominative case) and the
verb.
Example: Domina incolam culpat.
- Domina is the subject of the sentence. It is a nominative case, means
a mistress, the mistress or simply means mistress. Remember also
that domina is an ablative case which means with the mistress or by
the mistress.
- Incolam is also a noun. However, it cannot be the subject of the
sentence because it is the accusative case (direct object).
- Culpat is a verb.
2. Be sure that the subject agrees in number (singular or plural) with the
verb. If it does not agree, it is not the subject.
- With the example above, domina (subject, nominative case) agrees in
number (singular) with culpat (3rd person singular, present tense,
active voice, indicative mood).
- Another example: Domina agricolae incolam culpat. In this case, there
are two Latin words (domina and agricolae) which can be used as
subject of the sentence. However, agricolae does not agree in number
with culpat. Agricolae as subject (nominative case) in the sentence is
plural in number (3rd person plural). Culpat is 3rd person singular.
Therefore, the subject is domina (singular). Domina agricolae incolam
culpat (The mistress of the farmer blames the inhabitant.)
3. After determining the subject and the verb, translate the rest of the
words as it is used in the sentence, or as it appears in the sentence.
a. Domina incolam culpat.
- Domina (the subject of the sentence) means mistress.
- culpat (the verb) means blames
- incolam (accusative case, direct object) means inhabitant.
- Therefore, Domina incolam culpat is in English, The mistress
blames the inhabitant.
b. Domina agricolae incolam culpat.
- Domina (the subject of the sentence) means mistress.
- culpat (the verb) means blames
- incolam (accusative case, direct object) means inhabitant.
- Agricolae (genitive case)means of the farmer.
- Therefore, Domina agricolae incolam culpat. The mistress of the
farmer blames the inhabitant. Or, The farmers mistress blames
the inhabitant.
c. Domina agricolae incolam in insula culpat.
- Domina (the subject of the sentence) means mistress.
- culpat (the verb) means blames
- incolam (accusative case, direct object) means inhabitant.
- agricolae (genitive case)means of the farmer.
- insula (ablative case)means in the island.
- The mistress of the farmer blames the inhabitant in the island.
Take note the placement of the word insula.
English to Latin
4. Use the above steps.
5. Be careful of the Latin verb with preposition at the end of its meaning
(advoco, call to; exspecto, look out for; ignoro, be ignorant of, etc.)
Translation of which is with the verb, not on the object.
- The woman of the household calls to the daughter of the poet.
Femina familae filiam poetae advocat.
- I look out for the shape of the window. Figuram fenestrae
exspecto.
- Do not be ignorant of the military standards. Aquilas non
ignoras/ignoratis.