Appendix III, page 280

[Anto]

First of all, I have to say that English is not my first language.
Second, I have just finished the reviews of Appendix III. Usually, I like these reviews because they help me to confirm better what I have already learned through the lessons. But, here I discovered that I have a problem in translating few words from Latin to English (I guess it is because English is not my native language), especially some adverbs and comparative/superlative adjectives. Sometimes, I don’t know if it is an Adverb (in English) or Adjective. Is there any key for Appendix III? Otherwise, can anyone check if my translations are correct?

1. Less: minus (adv.).
2. More: magis (adv.); -, plus (adj.).
3. Most: maxime; plurimum (adv.); plurimus, -a, -um (adj.).
4. Low: humilis, humile; inferus, -a, -um.
5. Very much: maxime; plurimum (adv.).
6. Much: multum (adv.); multus, -a, -um (adj.).

Thank you for any help.

[jeidsath]

Note: Copying this topic to Learning Latin from the D’Ooge forum so that people can see it.

[Anto]

I am new here. I do not know how to do it. A little bit confused.

[jeidsath]

You did nothing wrong. The Textbook forums are seen by fewer people, and sometimes replies can take a while. So I copied this thread so that it now appears in both.

[Anto]

Thank you very much.

[Hylander]

Anto, these translations are generally correct, but you should be aware that they will not always be correct in all contexts. For example, the plural of multus – multi, -ae, -a – usually translates as “many.” The adjective inferus doesn’t mean just “low”: it means something like English “underneath” or “below,” in relation to something else. Technically, the English words are adverbs, unlike the Latin word. But, of course, your ultimate goal should be to read and understand Latin without translating to English or any other language.

[seneca2008]

I don’t think it matters whether something is an adverb or adjective in English. The important thing is whether it’s an adverb or adjective in Latin. For example minus can be an adverb but it is also a neuter comparative adjective. Only context will tell you which is right. Make sure you understand how adverbs are formed and how comparative/superlative adjectives are formed. I think doing an exercise like this without complete sentences is not very helpful.

[Anto]

Anto, these translations are generally correct, but you should be aware that they will not always be correct in all contexts. For example, the plural of multus – multi, -ae, -a – usually translates as “many.” The adjective inferus doesn’t mean just “low”: it means something like English “underneath” or “below,” in relation to something else. Technically, the English words are adverbs, unlike the Latin word. But, of course, your ultimate goal should be to read and understand Latin without translating to English or any other language.

Thank you, it was very helpful. I appreciate it.

[Anto]

I don’t think it matters whether something is an adverb or adjective in English. The important thing is whether it’s an adverb or adjective in Latin. For example minus can be an adverb but it is also a neuter comparative adjective. Only context will tell you which is right. Make sure you understand how adverbs are formed and how comparative/superlative adjectives are formed. I think doing an exercise like this without complete sentences is not very helpful.

Thank you Seneca. Yes, I understand very well the lessons on comparative/superlative adjectives and adverbs. It was not difficult for me, because I know other Latin Languages. But, you are right doing an exercise like this (translating words from English to Latin without complete sentences or without saying if they want the adverb or the adjectives) was not very helpful and made me a little bit hesitant.