Expert: Maria - 1/15/2010

Question
Hi Maria,

I wanted to get a tattoo of the Lait words 'My Life' and am having a bit of trouble understanding what the correct traslation would be.
I have found the word 'vita' for 'life' and 'mei' for 'my or mine' and also 'meus' and 'mihi' for my. I am also confused as to which order the words would be in, in a sentence.

I was hoping you could let me know which phrase is correct?

My Life
vita mei?
mei vita?
vita meus?
meus vita?
mihi vita?
vita mihi?

Answer
Hi Lauren,
I've just received your feedback and I've really appreciated your words.
So, considering your kind apologies for missing seeing my 'Instructions to Questioner' and not realising I had said I didn't want questions for tattoos, I've resolved to tell you the correct translation of "My life" which in Latin would be correctly VITA MEA or with a different word order MEA VITA.

Note that VITA is the nominative feminine, 1st.declension, and MEA is the nominative feminine of the adjective MEUS  agreed with VITA.

Best regards,
Maria
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hello,

Firstly,  all the phrases you mention are wrong, simply because  you obviously do not know anything about Latin grammar and its rules.

Anyway I have to tell you that I don’t want to give you a correct translation for “My life” just because such an expression is for  a tattoo and I  can't get involved with contributing to the dangerous practice of tattooing.

This is why in my ‘Instructions to Questioner’ which appear on your ‘Ask a Question’ page I have expressly written:

"No homework questions please nor TATTOOS....."

In fact I really don't like tattoos and then, as  a volunteer  expert of a 100% FREE  site, I obviously can choose to decline translating any phrase / word  for this purpose.

Anyway you can to “Vivat Latina!” at www.traditio.com/latin.htm where you can find a  translation service at minimal fees.

Good luck!

Maria