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Stange and possibly untranslatable

by NJ Esperantist, July 13, 2011

Messages: 9

Language: English

NJ Esperantist (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 12:58:01 AM

I found this word and cannot figure out what exactly it means. What does it mean and how would you translate it into English?

transkapiĝo-rulon

3rdblade (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 1:22:58 AM

transkapiĝo-rulon
What head scratcher! Sounds cryptic; I think the coiner could have done a better job at getting his idea across. Still, can you provide the context, i.e. the passage you found it in?

Squir (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 1:54:40 AM

Trans-kap-iĝ-o rulo-n
Across-head-becoming roll/roller (?!)

Something that rolls onto your head, maybe related to hair. Do you have any context?

Edit: Pangur's and Mustelvulpo's posts below have me convinced that it's an incorrectly translated attempt at "an across-head roll". I doubt they're doing the across-head part right and I don't know how to fix it, but I'm pretty sure that rulo should be ruliĝo or something.

Pangur (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 2:15:16 AM

I'm a beginner so my opinion shouldn't hold much weight but it sounds like a tumble to me, i.e. rolling over on your head. Opinions?

Mustelvulpo (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 2:20:01 AM

I assume that the context of wherever this was used puts it in the accusative. "Transkapa rulo" makes sense to me but why the -iĝ suffix and why the noun form for "transkapiĝo"? Can you provide the sentence in which this was used?

EdRobertson (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 8:26:55 AM

Pangur:I'm a beginner so my opinion shouldn't hold much weight but it sounds like a tumble to me, i.e. rolling over on your head. Opinions?
Yes, you're right, that's exactly what it is. Personally, I'd prefer transkapa ruliĝo.

NJ Esperantist (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 12:48:15 PM

I have a confession to make. I am guilty of not consulting every one of my dictionaries before posting this question. After consulting my Butler Esperanto-English Dictionary, I find the answer under the head word 'kapo' 'transkapiĝo' means a somersalt, so 'transkapiĝo-rulo' would be a somersalt roll.

Myself, I think superkapiĝ-rulo might be more easily deciphered, but hey, at least we got the answer.

ceigered (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 1:11:12 PM

How do you say "spin jump", "screw attack" or "sonic the hedgehog-style jump"? I think that'd work nicely for conveying the idea of a somersault. rido.gif

acdibble (User's profile) July 13, 2011, 6:47:43 PM

Pangur:I'm a beginner so my opinion shouldn't hold much weight but it sounds like a tumble to me, i.e. rolling over on your head. Opinions?
You were right. Don't count yourself out here because you're a beginner.

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