Monumentis Patriae naufragio ereptis

English translation: For those treasures of the fatherland rescued from shipwreck.

09:42 Oct 30, 2010
Latin to English translations [PRO]
History / Inscription over the entrance to a 19th palace
Latin term or phrase: Monumentis Patriae naufragio ereptis
The term appears in a text about a former 19th century Polish palace, now a museum.

The motto is inscribed over the entrance to the palace. In the context of the text, it is used to underscore the fact that, true to the motto, the former owner had destined the building 'Monumentis Patriae naufragio ereptis'.

The motto is also given in Polish, but before I translate that into English, I thought I would try here, in the hopes that someone might be kind enough to give me a direct rendition.

Many thanks in advance!
Caryl Swift
Poland
Local time: 13:08
English translation:For those treasures of the fatherland rescued from shipwreck.
Explanation:
"Shipwreck" is probably the metaphorical shipwreck of strife and destruction on land. If this is intended as a museum or storehouse, the motto would suggest its purpose.

Ambiguously, it could also mean "snatched away by shipwreck" - i.e. in memory of objects now lost that will never be seen.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2010-10-30 11:47:00 GMT)
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lit. "for (the) monuments of the fatherland snatched from shipwreck"

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Note added at 11 hrs (2010-10-30 21:35:05 GMT)
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Use Stephen's suggestion; it's more resonant: "For treasures rescued from the shipwreck of the Fatherland"
Selected response from:

Jim Tucker (X)
United States
Grading comment
Thank you very much for all your time and help!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7For those treasures of the fatherland rescued from shipwreck.
Jim Tucker (X)


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
For those treasures of the fatherland rescued from shipwreck.


Explanation:
"Shipwreck" is probably the metaphorical shipwreck of strife and destruction on land. If this is intended as a museum or storehouse, the motto would suggest its purpose.

Ambiguously, it could also mean "snatched away by shipwreck" - i.e. in memory of objects now lost that will never be seen.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2010-10-30 11:47:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

lit. "for (the) monuments of the fatherland snatched from shipwreck"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2010-10-30 21:35:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Use Stephen's suggestion; it's more resonant: "For treasures rescued from the shipwreck of the Fatherland"

Jim Tucker (X)
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16
Grading comment
Thank you very much for all your time and help!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Olga Cartlidge: Very ambiguous indeed./ This reminds me of Theodor Storm s masterpiece Aquis Submersis although the context is totally different of course.
38 mins
  -> Thanks...one of those cases where the context is architectural rather than linguistic. Also "eripio" can be a violent verb -- but here more in the sense of "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat"

agree  Veronika McLaren
1 hr

agree  Stephen C. Farrand: I'm inclined to think that the position of Patriae intends for it to be taken both with monumentis and with naufragio: "For reminders of the Fatherland snatched from the shipwreck of the Fatherland." I also think naufragium refers to the ship of state.
3 hrs
  -> Ah yes -- that must be: patriae naufragio -- certainly. Thank you for that insight, Stephen.

agree  Joseph Brazauskas
10 hrs

agree  Alison Sabedoria (X): Stephen's suggestion is a good one.
21 hrs

neutral  Mariusz Kuklinski: For the memorabilia of ... // Fair enough
1 day 23 hrs
  -> Not used for art, unfortunately. Should work, etymologically speaking, but does not in practice.

agree  Sandra Mouton
2 days 3 hrs

agree  gdaytonmohlg: Most been understood in its context....a collection of Polish historical items......Poland a land furiously attacked continously....saving historical pieces from the ravages of destruction...
3189 days
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