Dialogue in section 118

Are you learning Latin with D'Ooge's Beginners Latin Book? Here's where you can meet other learners using this textbook. Use this board to ask questions and post your work for feedback and comments from others.
Post Reply
Dominicus Dexter
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:28 pm

Dialogue in section 118

Post by Dominicus Dexter »

In section 118, there is a dialogue between Cornelius and Marcus. For the last dialogue by Cornelius:
Mala est fortuna eorum et saepe miseri servi multis cum lacrimis patriam suam desiderant.
the answer key gives the translation as
Bad is their fate and the wretched slaves often long for their fatherland with many tears.
Is writing it as "Mala est fortuna SUARUM et saepe miseri servi multis cum lacrimis patriam suam desiderant" acceptable? Is there any explanation for either one or both?

User avatar
bedwere
Global Moderator
Posts: 5102
Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:23 pm
Location: Didacopoli in California
Contact:

Re: Dialogue in section 118

Post by bedwere »

No, it's not acceptable. suus, a, um is an adjective that needs to be applied to something. Like in

miseri servi multis cum lacrimis patriam suam desiderant

suam is applied to patriam

Also generally suus means belonging to the subject (but not always).

Post Reply