Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Latin term or phrase:
fluctuat nec mergitur
English translation:
it may fluctuate, but it does not sink
Added to glossary by
Joseph Brazauskas
Oct 13, 2006 17:54
17 yrs ago
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Latin term
Hungary
Nil satis nisi optimum
Native in: Hungarian
Works in: English to Hungarian, French to Hungarian, German to Hungarian, and 2 more.
fluctuat nec mergitur
Latin to English
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Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
My problem is that this is a motto for a study paper on exchange rates and I am not sure whether a translation like
"tossed by (the) waves it does not sink"
would do in this case. (Normally, speaking about Paris, it is translated as "she does not founder", I think). Also, I am not sure whether "the waves" or just "waves" would be a good translation.
TIA, Eva
"tossed by (the) waves it does not sink"
would do in this case. (Normally, speaking about Paris, it is translated as "she does not founder", I think). Also, I am not sure whether "the waves" or just "waves" would be a good translation.
TIA, Eva
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | it may fluctuate, but it does not sink |
Joseph Brazauskas
|
Proposed translations
12 mins
Joseph Brazauskas
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
When You Want It Done Right
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
, Spanish (Variant: Standard-Spain)
Works in: Latin to English, English to Latin, Greek (Ancient) to English, and 23 more.
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it may fluctuate, but it does not sink
'Fluctuat' may be a (rare) potential subjunctive. If so, I would render as above. Or it could be a jussive subjunctive, in which case translate: 'Let it fluctuate, but it doesn't sink (go down').' 'Mergere' means literally 'to plunge into, to immerse, sink'
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Jim Tucker (X)
: "fluctuat" isn't any kind of subjunctive; it's a simple indicative.
155 days
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "thanks a lot - but how come your mother tongue is Latin?! :)"
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