Here is an attempt at a doorway to concentrated immersive expression. It is a place where modern innovation will meet with an ancient text. Now that most of the viable ‘buzz words’ have been said, here’s the sitch – I bought a book I didn’t know was in Latin. I couldn’t find an English translation. So, with Google Translate and ChatGPT, I decided to make my own. AI is still relatively new, and notoriously unreliable. And my negligible knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin made for a toxic cocktail overflowing with ignorance. So basically, there is a lot of ‘gray area’ here. I don’t feel it’s adequate enough to record it in a book, but a website seemed fair. My hands and eyes spasmodically twitch, which makes it exceedingly difficult to catch when spell-check changes things. I know it does and have read the results, but I needed to keep it active.
Oftentimes, I didn’t know what the author meant as his scribbles seemed to be a space filler. Honestly, I made some of the translation up based on what I have already read and context clues I was able to pick up on. ChatGPT, like that Junior High friend who somehow always knew things about NASA and inter-galactic space travel, didn’t skip a beat during those fowl-ups and went on to explain what everything meant.
I don’t pretend that anything I’ve done here compares with: https://engineering.nd.edu/news/researchers-use-ai-to-unlock-the-secrets-of-ancient-texts/, but maybe I’m adding to the conversation. If it is a helpful addition, you decide.
So why do any of this? Good question. I could either get distracted by all sorts of entertainment and let my brain turn into mush, or I could try something cool. Since February of 2023, I’ve been reading about AI and ChatGPT (free version), so I wanted to try it out for myself before it ushers in the end of the human race. If I just left this for myself, I’d be ripping people off for what Franciscus wrote for all. Plus, I really do want to finish translating his book, but I need a better reason to keep going. This is sort of a project of accountability. Again, this is an attempt. Enjoy!
labels the following statement as mine. ChatGPT, is its response.
I’m sorry, but I’m not familiar with the specific term “Davidis Lyra” in the context of translation. It doesn’t appear to be a common phrase or expression that can be directly translated. Could you please provide more information or context about what you are referring to?
Thank you for providing more context. “Davidis Lyra” is a Latin title referring to a literary work written by Franciscus Gomarus in 1637. The literal translation of “Davidis Lyra” is “David’s Lyre.” However, without more information about the content and nature of the work, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive translation or summarize it accurately. If you can provide more details or specific passages from the text, I can try to assist you further.
Based on the information you provided, the title page of “Davidis Lyra” in Latin can be translated as follows:
“Davidis Lyra: Or a New Poetic Art of the Hebrew Holy Scriptures, Described in its Canons, and Demonstrated by Rare Examples, as well as Parallels to Pindar and Sophocles.”
Please note that this translation is an attempt to capture the meaning of the title page, and the actual content and scope of the work may vary.
The Latin phrase “Cum selectorum Davidis, Salomonis, I Eremia, Mosis, & Iobi puematum analysi poetica” can be translated into English as:
“With a Poetic Analysis of Selected Poems from David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Moses, and Job.”
This suggests that the work “Davidis Lyra” includes a poetic analysis of selected poems from biblical figures such as David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Moses, and Job.
The phrase “Auctore Francisco Gomaro, S. Theologix & Omlandix lingux, in illuftrium Groeningx & Omlandix Ordinum Academia, professore” can be translated as:
“Authored by Franciscus Gomarus, Professor of Sacred Theology and Oriental Languages in the Illustrious Academies of Groningen and Omlandia.”
This indicates that Franciscus Gomarus, a professor of Sacred Theology and Oriental Languages, is the author of “Davidis Lyra,” and he holds his position at the prestigious academic institutions of Groningen and Omlandia.
“Lugduni Batavorum, Ex Officina Ioannis Maire” can be translated as:
“At Leiden in the Netherlands, Printed by the Publishing House of Ioannes Maire.”
This indicates that the book “Davidis Lyra” was printed and published in Leiden by Ioannes Maire’s publishing house.
“To the Reverend and Learned Doctors of Sacred Theology: Mr. Anthony Thysius and Mr. Constantine L’Empereur van Oppyck, the former a Professor of Theology and the latter a Professor of Jewish Controversies and the Holy Law at the University of Leiden, Greetings from the Author of Salvation.”
This passage indicates that the author of “Davidis Lyra” is extending greetings and expressing respect to two esteemed theologians, Mr. Anthony Thysius and Mr. Constantine L’Empereur van Oppyck. Mr. Thysius is described as a Professor of Theology, while Mr. L’Empereur van Oppyck is described as a Professor of Jewish Controversies and the Holy Law at the University of Leiden. The author refers to himself as the “Author of Salvation.”
I apologize, but it seems that there is a missing portion of the text. The phrase you provided, “On ignota est (reverendiac clarissimis viri) ea Homeri sententia, qua consuetai volgi de poematum praestantia sententiae, Odysseae primo ita describit,” is incomplete. It appears to reference an unknown or unfamiliar Homeric sentiment or passage that describes the common opinion of the people regarding the excellence of poems, specifically in the first book of the Odyssey. However, without the complete sentence or context, it is challenging to provide a more precise translation or understanding. If you can provide further information or the complete sentence, I’ll do my best to assist you.
Certainly! The Greek phrase “αοίδην μάλλον σπίνλεϊγς ανθεγόπος Ήτις ακγοντεοσι πεκότατη αμουπέλε” can be translated into English as:
“Hermes, the herald, answered him with his golden wand.”
Please note that the translation may vary depending on the context in which the phrase is used, as certain nuances or details could affect the interpretation. If you provide more context or clarify the specific passage or usage of this phrase, I can provide a more precise translation.
The provided phrase “Illud enim canticum maxime celebrant homines, Quodcunque auditoribus recentissimum existit” can be translated as:
“For people greatly celebrate that song which is most recent to the listeners.”
This suggests that people tend to highly appreciate and celebrate the song that is the most recent or freshly composed, implying that novelty holds a significant appeal to the audience.
“And in the same manner, following with no lesser elegance, Pindar expressed it sharply in this way.”
This phrase indicates that the author, like Pindar, has expressed or articulated something in a similar manner with great elegance. However, without further context or information about what exactly is being expressed, it is difficult to provide a more specific translation or interpretation.