Mortigo
av jawq81, 10 februari 2009
Meddelanden: 20
Språk: English
jawq81 (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 01:01:17
What does the word “mortigo” mean? I saw the word used in another place on this forum. The dictionary at Lernu! translates it as "murder". Is this correct or incorrect? In my opinion, it is incorrect.
mccambjd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 01:34:19
jawq81:What does the word “mortigo” mean?The Lernu! dictionary is correct.
What seems wrong about "morti" + "igi" = "to die" + "to cause" = "to kill, to murder"?
jawq81 (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 01:58:13
From my viewpoint, there is a big difference between killing someone and murdering someone. You are right that "mortigi" means "to kill, to cause to die." On the other hand, "murdi" = "to murder", and "murdo" = "murder".
You can "kill" someone in battle. That isn't "murder".
You can "kill" someone in self-defense, or to save the life of someone else. Again, that isn't considered "murder". Murder is a capital offense and if found guilty, you can spend the rest of your life in prison.
That is why I questioned the meaning of this word. The only translation I can think of that makes any kind of sense is "a killing".
Maybe that isn't grammatically correct but it is the only translation I can think of.
RiotNrrd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 02:25:04
I agree that there is a difference in meaning between the two and that the Lernu dictionary doesn't distinguish between the two properly in its definition of "mortigi".
It will shortly.
RiotNrrd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 02:28:34
ceigered (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 04:27:17
to liquidate, to kill, to slay"
This is sad on my behalf but, I always though liquidation was when you sell off a company...
'Ni mortigos nian firmon..'
Technically, 'kill' is a versatile word, so it could possibly be used to insinuate murder, assassination, slaughter etc.
But anyway back to the 'liquidate' part - I still don't get how that word is used in English, 'liquid' + 'ate' sounds like you are becoming a liquid....
RiotNrrd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 06:14:47
mccambjd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 07:04:21
jawq81:...there is a big difference between killing someone and murdering someone...The only translation I can think of that makes any kind of sense is "a killing".You're right that I was wrong.
I think your translation is appropriate.
The confusion lies in that Esperanto, like English, does not necessarily take intent and circumstance into the general meaning of "mortigi" or "to kill". One can kill in self-defense or in cold blood. So a killing can also be a murder and the meaning must be made clear (if it can be) by the context.
jawq81 (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 11:47:24
RiotNrrd, I have a question and maybe you can help me with it. I've noticed in past posting on this forum that some individuals seem to dislike the CEED, which I assume is the Comprehensive English-Esperanto Dictionary, by Peter Benson. From what I can determine, they seem to think that he is "manufacturing" his own words when he translates.
On the other hand, other people seem to like it and often refer to it. You referred to it in an above post, so I just wondered what your opinion was of the dictionary. I have a copy of it. It is an attractive book with black print on a pale yellowish cover. But I haven't used it much, mainly because of the remarks noted above.
As for the word "mortigo", I get the impression that "a killing" might be an acceptable translation, as:
Dum la tumulto hieraŭ, estis du mortigoj sur la strato. = During the riot yesterday, there were two killings on the street.
mccambjd (Visa profilen) 10 februari 2009 15:44:23
jawq81:...some individuals seem to dislike the CEED...The CEED seems to me a fine reference--I use it all the time and I haven't found any real problems with the translations it suggests. At least, none come to mind.