new thread
I saw both of your questions in the June 12th thread way, way down the board.
The reason I am putting this at the top is so you will see it, and so that some others might see it.
I am a little rusty with the Latin right now and don't feel entirely comfortable giving you answers to the questions. I am hopefully consulting with another who can give the best translation.
I absolutely CRINGE at the thought of someone going about with bad Latin permanently affixed to their skin. That is why I am making kind of a big deal about this.
Tracy wanted "through thick and thin"
Lindsay wanted "life is what you make it"
Lindsay, the phrase you were given is not correct.
Hope to be able to help soon!
Thanks, Bragi
Courtesy of Robert:
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"Through thick and thin" is so colloquial that I am not sure a literal translation works.
Maybe: "Per difficilem facilemque"
Literally: through the difficult and the easy
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Life is what you make it:
"Vita est quomodo extruas"
Literally: life is how you construct it. Problem is, I don't think the Romans would have said this. Their notion of life was that it was how Fate gave it to you--a Stoic idea for sure, but also a Roman religious idea. The problem then is that the tattoo "owner" is trying to say in Latin a very American idea. English would be my choice for this saying.
The Roman version?
"Vita est quam Fortuna nuntiet"
Literally: Life is what Fortune announces.
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If you see this guys, thank Robert for his efforts!
Good Luck with it all!
Bragi