Burn the Boats Translation

[Dakota Peterson]

Hey everyone! I'm looking for a translation from english to latin for the phrase "Burn the Boats" as in the famous story of Cortes/Alexander of Macedonia. I've seen a lot of varying opinions and different translations, so I'll provide some context. I'm looking for a short/simple version where as it's either a single command to an individual (or internally, as in a mantra to tell oneself to burn the boats/commit to plan a) I've seen Incendite Naves/Navis and Incende Naves/Navis, and was just looking for a second opinion to make sure the spelling/example is correct. (I'll be getting it tattooed, so I'd like to really make sure not to spell it wrong!)

Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Issacus Divus]

For one person, say "incende naves". For more than one person, "incendite naves".

 

[Dakota Peterson]

For one person, say "incende naves". For more than one person, "incendite naves".

And this doesn't change whether it's imposed internally as opposed to externally. As if to tell/remind oneself to commit to a goal? Thanks for the fast reply!

 

[Issacus Divus]

You must use naves, because navis is singular and grammatically incorrect here.

 

[Issacus Divus]

And this doesn't change whether it's imposed internally as opposed to externally. As if to tell/remind oneself to commit to a goal? Thanks for the fast reply!

No, you could use it either way.

 

[Issacus Divus]

Or you could say "incendam naves", "I will burn the boats".

 

[Dakota Peterson]

So just to make absolutely sure "Incende Naves" would be an acceptable way to state Burn the Boats in the context provided? I've seen the potential to spell it Navis as well, but I personally like the spelling of Naves.

 

[Issacus Divus]

Let me explain a bit;
Navis is singular. Also, you would use it if it were the subject.
Naves is the accusative plural. "Accusative" means that it is the direct object.

So, we must use naves.

 

[Issacus Divus]

Since you are acting upon the boats, you're the subject of the sentence, and the boats are the direct object.

 

[Dakota Peterson]

Since you are acting upon the boats, you're the subject of the sentece, and the boats are the direct object.

Thank you very much! I appreciate the help and getting back to me so promptly!

 

[Issacus Divus]

You're welcome!

 

[Dantius]

You must use naves, because navis is singular and grammatically incorrect here.

No, in fact navis with a long i is a perfectly acceptable accusative plural.

 

[Issacus Divus]

No, in fact navis with a long i is a perfectly acceptable accusative plural.

I didn't know that. Alternate form?

 

[Dantius]

Yeah, it exists for any 3rd declension i-stem noun.

 

[Issacus Divus]

oof. how do I miss things like that...

 

[Dantius]

It's not commonly taught though it occurs not uncommonly.

 

[Issacus Divus]

Good to know; whenever I saw it before I just thought it was a mistake.

 

[Laurentius]

Perhaps it would sound better switching the word order, not that like this it's incorrect.

 

[scrabulista]

And this doesn't change whether it's imposed internally as opposed to externally. As if to tell/remind oneself to commit to a goal? Thanks for the fast reply!

If in doubt, use the singular.
Michigan's motto is si quaeris amoenam peninsulam, circumspice - "if you see a pleasant peninsula, look around." It's in the singular, although apparently directed to the whole state.

 

[Pacifica]

It's fine in any order.