Dr. Katrina Dickson

Classicist/Art Historian @—wants to be optima mater, but mostly semper atrox. Latin translator/consultant Agatha All Along, Loki, Wandavision.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @POPIncursions @eavoss @NewRockstars Yes. Let me say that one is often asked (or even required) to offer alternate options for lines. These options fall into “optimal” vs. “plausible” categories—for me these must (line in sand) be based in actual usage. Other translators/consultants may differ in that; it’s tricky.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @Phyllida1234 Thanks. I kept mainly to the ancient world for consistency, though I’ve read a bit more widely, so binding magic and existing spells made “exsolvo” feel right for the situation even though it isn’t really a one to one with what is known of ancient practices.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@eavoss @MadLatinist @POPIncursions @NewRockstars Thanks for noticing—it really is nice to hear others (besides @courtney_ly ) appreciating the care and thought that went into trying to translate the meanings (sometimes precise, sometimes deliberately fluid) of the requested dialogue. Seriously, thanks.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @eavoss @POPIncursions @NewRockstars I’ll have to go back through your posts and look—but I doubt you got anything wrong. A friend pointed out that people were noticing the “green” line, so I peeked in on the posts and answered a few. I’m a Latin teacher nerd who works with other Latin nerds in mind (with joy).

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @eavoss @POPIncursions @NewRockstars It was by request. I wish I could take credit. I thought it, but didn’t say anything. When the request came through I was cackling and I couldn’t talk to anyone about it except @courtney_ly. I was just glad they were willing (credit Courtney for this) to use that word order!

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@cabinboy100 @courtney_ly I still love that one.

As well as:

Old Latin teachers never die, they just keep on declining.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist I can also say that I make extensive use of research databases and try to make sure that there exist as many instances as possible of similar turns of phrase in existing Latin texts/inscriptions. Particularly fun with Loki (cf. Pliny).

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist I’m seeing this through your eyes—I haven’t worked up to it watching this show yet (b/c I inevitably see/hear issues that were not within my control). I can also say that what I was told about the *planned* physical staging affected the word choice in this instance.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @eavoss @POPIncursions @NewRockstars By the way, you are 100 correct that I liked the ambiguity of the word choice—that should not, however, be considered a spoiler. I did my work based on very limited information and did not have access to scripts. I was given detailed context, but not plot arcs! I’m waiting too.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

Everyone praising Joe Locke’s mastery of languages in Agatha All Along should probably also be thanking his amazing voice coach @courtney_ly !

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist I have a different guess, but it would verge into the type of speculation that might violate my NDA.

I will say that in terms of the type of spell, unbinding was a deliberate choice ((-)solvo = extrication vs (-)mitto)= separation. They aren’t synonyms for this usage.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @NewRockstars @eavoss Exsolvo—it is slightly more emphatic and stresses motion *out from* (ē/ex-) the bindings of a spell. “Release” is one way to translate it; “unbind” is another.

The “meo” reinforces the spell as the means but the caster as the true agent of the release.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @POPIncursions @eavoss @NewRockstars If it were agent, it would be with a person. In this case, oddly enough, the water is the actual “source” of the cure, not the “means” or “instrument” by which it was achieved. I asked for clarification. So the ā/ab + abl. = intentional ablative of source. Pedantic, I know.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@ravenomorrigan Yep. And I hope you appreciated the word order too. 😉

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@El_Don_Juarez Glad you are enjoying it.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MadLatinist @eavoss @POPIncursions @NewRockstars As the translator, I can promise you I pointed this out. IIRC, their justification for them not changing it was most of the witches were women. This choice was beyond my control. And the kind of thing that does drive me a little nuts.

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

Oy, #classicsTwitter,

Tell me, O Muses of ClassicsTwitter, about Lamestream Medea and how she, a welfare queen, murdered and abandoned her children and escaped in her Dragon driven chariot [a luxury vehicle—if you have to ask, tsk, IYKYN).

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

@MagisterConway @toutovlepo It depends on what happened before and what will happen after (I’m always about context, sorry), but fig might suggest location. Did I pluck the fig from the tree and its location is now in my hand? Is there a reason I would stress holding a fig *with* my hand vs. another means?

[Dr. Katrina Dickson @DrKatDickson]

Change this to Latin class and you have actual fears expressed by my students and their parents.

I do not blame them at all given the events of 4/25/2024 on my campus.

Bored Riot Cops Break Up Calculus Class https://t.co/TwGfef26hG