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Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Ghost Story | | Latin term or phrase: capiti | Greetings,
I think perhaps a literal translation into English, and also Italian, if possible, might help here, please.
The story is about a ghost in chains who comes to frighten the inhabitants of a certain mansion. The ghost (effugies) arrives and we read:
Illa scribentis capiti catenis insonabat.
My particular problem here is the relation between capiti and insonabat. Is the ghost rattling the chains and aiming the noise, in a certain sense, at the head of the writer? I.e. does this dative express the idea of “to, towards”? I always thought that the accusative had that function unless giving was involved.
Furthermore (this question is linked), does the "in" in "insonabat" carry the idea of against, as in the verb "invado"?
All the best, and many thanks,
Simon |
| SeiTTKudoZ activityQuestions: 2859 ( 2 open) ( 5 closed without grading) Answers: 1
United Kingdom
| Local time: 06:31
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| | English translation:(kept rattling his chains) at the head | Explanation:
You understand the sense. Capiti is dative because many verbs when prefixed take a dative complement in Latin. Moreover, insonare is intransitive (=it doesn't take a direct object). Google Latin dative compound verb and you will find a number of clear explanations with examples. |
| Selected response from:
 Stephen C. Farrand
United States
Local time: 01:31
| Grading comment Many thanks
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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1 hr confidence:  peer agreement (net): +3 (kept rattling his chains) at the head
Explanation:
You understand the sense. Capiti is dative because many verbs when prefixed take a dative complement in Latin. Moreover, insonare is intransitive (=it doesn't take a direct object). Google Latin dative compound verb and you will find a number of clear explanations with examples.
| Stephen C. Farrand
United States
Local time: 01:31
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:  English
PRO pts in category: 20
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| | | Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks. Could it also be seen as a dative of interest?
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The translation workplace 
