Logos vs. Lexis

I’ve decided not to do what most everybody else is doing, that is, exposing and opposing error. Not because it isn’t the most important undertaking in the fight to restore Christendom, but because it is already being done more abundantly and thoroughly by folks more competent than I.

I shall dedicate the resources of this duchy, then, to helping people read important and beautiful things in Latin and Greek—especially hymns. It is what I already do for some friends who find it a very useful and enriching activity. I suppose I should also disclose why I think Catholics (of the Roman variety at any rate) should know Latin well and pray and worship in that venerable language, but it won’t be right now.

Right now I will state what my future principles of translation will be, and for that we will need to have a much abbreviated lesson in classical rhetoric.

There is a fundamental division between what and how something is said. It is very possible to read or hear a text, and understand how it was said but not what it means. For example, in the Vesperal psalm Laudate Pueri (112) you find the following phrase: “A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini” which the Douay-Rheims accurately translates as “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.” Now, it is quite possible that you have been praying this verse every Sunday for many years, and understand what all the Latin or English vocabulary and syntax mean, but not really know what the Psalmist is saying.

What we are faced with here is an example of metonymy, a figure of speech whereby one states something indirectly by naming one of its attributes instead. Taking into account the use that the Church makes of this psalm, it would not be a bad conjecture that the Psalmist means “from morning to evening” or “all the day long the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.” He means something quite different, however, as this is a common expression in the Old Testament for “from east to west” or “everywhere.” Its meaning becomes clear in this also famous example, usually understood by Catholic authors to be a prophecy of the Mass: “For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 1.11)

My translations will always head straight to the content, and disregard any of the rhetoric in order to make sure we really understand what the original is about. Then I will analyze the Latin closely, paying attention to how things are said. My aim is to facilitate your enjoyment and reading of these texts in their original language.

In Christo Mariaque,
Iohannes Carolus

Call to Arms

A call to arms came from Parkdale sometime yesterday, Spy Wednesday. I heard it loud and clear even while lunching at far away Clover Hill. I’ve thought about it, and what it could mean, and whether it involves me or not, and what, if anything, I should do in response. I do believe it involves me, so I have therefore decided to publicly reveal my insanity.

That’s right; I am no longer an active member of that world in which most men live. I don’t believe my ancestors were apes, nor that man has a right to vote, nor that he should spend his youth dulling his intellect with “facts” and training it to be irrational and call that activity an “education”, nor that he should sacrifice the rest of his years to some unknown god that requires us to produce “stuff” more and more abundantly every day with no purpose other than to distract ourselves from ever thinking about anything that is permanent or important. I don’t think I should live my life as if nothing mattered, as if nothing were known to be true. Mothers should not kill their babies. I haven’t made these confessions in any particular order, and there are many more which could and should be written down, but it’s better to summarize by saying that I probably don’t believe most of the things you take for granted.

As further proof of my insanity, I hereby proclaim myself the Duke of Clover Hill, and lay claim to said land and all the attendant rights, privileges, and duties thereof. We graciously grant you permission to ignore us and our convictions; be assured that we might arbitrarily do likewise or ask one of our friends to persecute or mercilessly ridicule your erroneous assumptions. It will all depend on our mood that day. For those friendly visitors who would prefer to address me by my Christian name, it is both John and Charles.

If I am a Dux, whither am I leading you? You should not step into my newly formed imaginary world unless you ask yourself that question. The only answer I can give is that if you perceive that my destination is our Lord Jesus Christ, then you are welcome to tag along and follow. Fellow pilgrims and soldiers who know the way better than I are encouraged in charity to always correct me and never let me stray.

In Christo Mariaque,
Iohannes Carolus