For I'am the Sheep Dog

[Clove8828]

Ok here is ths deal I m getting this tattoed on my body so it has to be correct as once its there its forever. Going back over my high school latin from 20 years ago here is what I think is right but am looking for other ideas. I havent been able to find anything to translate "for"

Ego Sum Canis Ovis would this be correct.

Thanks in advance

 

[Dantius]

"for" should be translated with "nam".
However, "ego sum canis ovis" is not entirely correct. Unlike in English, where nouns like "sheep" can function just like adjectives, in Latin you'd need an adjective, not the noun ovis, to make "sheep" modify "dog".
My English to Latin dictionary recommends "canis oviarius" for "sheep-dog", so I would say:
"Nam ego sum canis oviarius".

 

[Adrian]

or even bit shorter ego enim canis oviarius

 

[Dantius]

That works as well.

 

[Iáson]

My English to Latin dictionary recommends "canis oviarius" for "sheep-dog"

With all due respect to your dictionary, I can find no textual basis for canis oviárius as 'sheepdog'. However, this has apparently come up before on this thread:

The Roman author Columella, in his treatise on country matters, has a chapter on dogs -- the differences between a house dog ('villaticus canis') and a herd dog ('canis pastoralis', but also 'canis pecuarius').

I think those seem more sensible options.

 

[Dantius]

With all due respect to your dictionary, I can find no textual basis for canis oviárius as 'sheepdog'. However, this has apparently come up before on this thread:

The dictionary didn't cite any, I think it was just one of their own coinages.

I think those seem more sensible options.

I agree.