I'm confused as to what the Latin word for struggles used in the RAF motto is supposed to be. It would made sense for it to be ardua - from which we get arduous - and this is what it says on the page about the RAF motto http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/hrafmotto.html. However the RAF badge seems to sport a 'V' instead on a ‘U’ http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/hrafbadge.html.
Any takers on ideas as to why this is?
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ARDUA or ARDVA
ARDUA or ARDVA
Jx ;)
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sittingstress
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Spot on TJD, also the meaning of the word changes dependent on it's use. I have absolutely no idea why as I have never been taught anything about Latin but the following I believe to be true:
Per Ardua Ad Astra = Through endeavour to the stars (RAF)
Per Ardua = Through Hardship (RAF Regt)
Anyone shed any light on my musings?
Regards
ss
PS Nil Illegitum Carborundum = Don't let the bastards grind you down.
Per Ardua Ad Astra = Through endeavour to the stars (RAF)
Per Ardua = Through Hardship (RAF Regt)
Anyone shed any light on my musings?
Regards
ss
PS Nil Illegitum Carborundum = Don't let the bastards grind you down.
Per Ardua
First, Slider is right, there is no letter 'u' in classical latin, our letter 'v' generally replaces it.
Secondly, the various meanings of 'ardua' is indicative of ancient languages in general. The longer a language has been in the mortuary, the more guesswork and deduction go into translating it, and the more it is altered over the years by translators / scribers in a centuries-long game of Chinese whispers. Specific meanings of words are lost, and one word can come to have many nebulous translations. Thus the 'per' in that motto translates as 'through', but in the Royal Marine motto can translate as 'by' (Per Mare, Per Terram = By Sea, By Land), and in other grammatical cases is used as 'over', 'because of', 'along' and so on. In the case of this motto, 'ardua' was pretty obviously used for poetic reasons because it fits with 'astra'.
The actual word 'ardua', or 'arduus' to use its' base form, I am guessing, is a late or medieval Latin word, ie used by early Christian monks and scribes throughout Europe, and thus is closer to modern English, a cousin twice removed via medieval French and Middle English. This might explain why it doesn't occur in many Latin dictionaries (they usually only list classical Latin), why it is close to our modern 'arduous' as gr4pilot said, and also most traditional mottos in this country are formed from late Latin, as they tended to have been coined in the last five centuries or so (classical Latin was only seriously ressurected in the 20th century). If this is correct, like I said only a guess, then the 'ardva' spelling would actually be wrong, and it should properly be 'ardua' ...but that's a bit pedantic.
All this I know because I took Medieval Latin as part of my English degree in order to sleep with a most attractive girl on the course! Worked, too
PS Quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
(Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound)
Secondly, the various meanings of 'ardua' is indicative of ancient languages in general. The longer a language has been in the mortuary, the more guesswork and deduction go into translating it, and the more it is altered over the years by translators / scribers in a centuries-long game of Chinese whispers. Specific meanings of words are lost, and one word can come to have many nebulous translations. Thus the 'per' in that motto translates as 'through', but in the Royal Marine motto can translate as 'by' (Per Mare, Per Terram = By Sea, By Land), and in other grammatical cases is used as 'over', 'because of', 'along' and so on. In the case of this motto, 'ardua' was pretty obviously used for poetic reasons because it fits with 'astra'.
The actual word 'ardua', or 'arduus' to use its' base form, I am guessing, is a late or medieval Latin word, ie used by early Christian monks and scribes throughout Europe, and thus is closer to modern English, a cousin twice removed via medieval French and Middle English. This might explain why it doesn't occur in many Latin dictionaries (they usually only list classical Latin), why it is close to our modern 'arduous' as gr4pilot said, and also most traditional mottos in this country are formed from late Latin, as they tended to have been coined in the last five centuries or so (classical Latin was only seriously ressurected in the 20th century). If this is correct, like I said only a guess, then the 'ardva' spelling would actually be wrong, and it should properly be 'ardua' ...but that's a bit pedantic.
All this I know because I took Medieval Latin as part of my English degree in order to sleep with a most attractive girl on the course! Worked, too
PS Quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
(Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound)
