Puupertti Ruma
09-09-2008, 21:08
I've been designing a Space Marine chapter for the miniature wargame Warhammer 40K and I am basing some aspects of it to the classical hellenistic military tradition. One aspect I am using are greek names for some things in my chapter, and I need some help with grammar and with some words also. This forum being filled with highly intelligent people many of which know the greek language, I naturally decided to ask here for help. Please, if you can answer to atleast few or even one of my question I will be in a eternal gratitude. And give you balloons!
So, first the name of the chapter, "Emperor's Prodigy". The imperium of man in 40k uses a language called High Gothic, which is in essence latin by those who don't speak latin. So, if I'd translate my chapter's name to the High Gothic, it would be something like Prodigium Imperator. While that could be ok for High Gothic it must seem horrific to all you who know latin :laugh4:. So what would "Emperor's Prodigy" be in actual latin? Also, keeping with the hellenic theme, what would "Emperor's Prodigy" be in greek? Also, if this greek version would be used as a insignum constructed from the initial letters, what would they be? I'd guess Pi and Iotta, right?
Next the terms I want to use in the army composition and command structure. Every chapter is a 1000 man strong, divided to one elite company, four battle companies, four reserve companies all about 100 man strong and to a training/scout company. The elite company would be of course the Agema, and the training/scout company I'm thinking of calling the Ephebes. So what you suggest I use for the battle/active companies and what the reserves would be called? Also the term company isn't very "classical greek" so that would be also nice to change.
My chapter's companies are still divided to battlegroups that I call Enomotia. That is an actual classical greek battle element, translating to "the sworn". What I need, is the conjugations and what not. How would "Enomotia of Aeneis" be translated for example? Enomotia ton Aeneis? Also, if the Enomotia is divided in two at a battle, could the halves be called hemienomotia, or hemienomotion or would there be a better prefix altogether? A leader of Enomotia is Enomotiarches, what would commander of hemienomotia be called?
The space marine's are tactically divided to tactical squads, assault squads and devastator squads. I tried to translate the word "assault" with various online greek dictionaries, but I couldn't reach a conclusion. So how would you translate "assault squad"? It really doesn't have to literal translation, for example translation of "assaulters" would be good, or "jumpers" as they are equipped with jump packs. Also, the devastators are a bit tricky. They are a squad armed with heavy weaponry so simple "shooters" isn't very good. Any ideas? If I can't have both Assault Marines and Devastators translated, I think I'm using the vanilla names.
Last, how would you translate a tank? Or an APC? How about mechanized infantry? Let your imagination fly as this isn't very important but could be fun and educative even.
Million thanks to those who find the time to help. I know that's a lot of questions, but any help will be appreciated. If you need clarifications or more information, I will give it asap.
Emperor protect!
So, first the name of the chapter, "Emperor's Prodigy". The imperium of man in 40k uses a language called High Gothic, which is in essence latin by those who don't speak latin. So, if I'd translate my chapter's name to the High Gothic, it would be something like Prodigium Imperator. While that could be ok for High Gothic it must seem horrific to all you who know latin :laugh4:. So what would "Emperor's Prodigy" be in actual latin? Also, keeping with the hellenic theme, what would "Emperor's Prodigy" be in greek? Also, if this greek version would be used as a insignum constructed from the initial letters, what would they be? I'd guess Pi and Iotta, right?
Next the terms I want to use in the army composition and command structure. Every chapter is a 1000 man strong, divided to one elite company, four battle companies, four reserve companies all about 100 man strong and to a training/scout company. The elite company would be of course the Agema, and the training/scout company I'm thinking of calling the Ephebes. So what you suggest I use for the battle/active companies and what the reserves would be called? Also the term company isn't very "classical greek" so that would be also nice to change.
My chapter's companies are still divided to battlegroups that I call Enomotia. That is an actual classical greek battle element, translating to "the sworn". What I need, is the conjugations and what not. How would "Enomotia of Aeneis" be translated for example? Enomotia ton Aeneis? Also, if the Enomotia is divided in two at a battle, could the halves be called hemienomotia, or hemienomotion or would there be a better prefix altogether? A leader of Enomotia is Enomotiarches, what would commander of hemienomotia be called?
The space marine's are tactically divided to tactical squads, assault squads and devastator squads. I tried to translate the word "assault" with various online greek dictionaries, but I couldn't reach a conclusion. So how would you translate "assault squad"? It really doesn't have to literal translation, for example translation of "assaulters" would be good, or "jumpers" as they are equipped with jump packs. Also, the devastators are a bit tricky. They are a squad armed with heavy weaponry so simple "shooters" isn't very good. Any ideas? If I can't have both Assault Marines and Devastators translated, I think I'm using the vanilla names.
Last, how would you translate a tank? Or an APC? How about mechanized infantry? Let your imagination fly as this isn't very important but could be fun and educative even.
Million thanks to those who find the time to help. I know that's a lot of questions, but any help will be appreciated. If you need clarifications or more information, I will give it asap.
Emperor protect!