Comments on: Motto in Old Norse

By: Jeff Watt

Jeff Watt — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:27:48 +0000

What of this one (been trying for AGES to get a translation on ALL SORTS of websites):-

“The impossible we do overnight; miracles take a bit longer.”

(It’s not so much a battle motto, more a skald or sorceror’s motto!)
ANY OFFERS?
- Jeff

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 31 May 2010 18:04:13 +0000

Hi! I’ve been wanting to get a tattoo. Serving in the military, I feel that something in runes and in Old Norse would be rather fitting. I was thinking a quote from the Eddas pertaining to duty or bravery would be perfect, however I don’t know the first place to start in regards to finding the Old Norse translation when I do find a quote I find suitable, then having it written in Futhark as it would’ve been written a thousand years ago.

Pleast help!
-Anthony

By: Ivan

Ivan — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:51:25 +0000

I’ve been attempting to translate “brothers in arms” or “brothers in war” into Old Norse, but I don’t have any idea of the proper structuring. Any chance you would have a correct translation,

much appreciated,
Ivan

By: Mike Jenningsgs

Mike Jenningsgs — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:56:12 +0000

Hi,

I am researching my family history and I am hoping to prove that my family name is an anglicised version of a scandinavian family name. I am also into historice re-enactor and you’re website has provided so much useful information. We are trying to create a banner for our group and develop a motto. I personally like Fortis et Liber which translated means strong and free, unfortunately I couldn’t find these words above, any help you could offer in translating this into a motto would be appreciated

Regards

Mike

By: Kristian

Kristian — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:57:21 +0000

I´m looking for mottos that I want to engrave in some viking-jewelry that I´m making. I stumbled upon the quote “Live free or die”/”Live free or die in battle” by general John Stark, which is very close to what I´m looking for. I thought it would be nice though, if I could find something similar in viking sources. Do you by any chance know of any viking sayings that resembles that? (If translated into old norse it would be “Lifa frjáls (or) deyja í bardagi”, correct?) I´ve also been trying to translate the english sentence “freedom or death/war” into old norse with various online translation tools, but it seems that either the vikings didn´t have the word freedom, or it doesn´t translate in those online translation tools. The closest I get is “sjálfraðr (or) bardagi” and I cant even seem to find the word “or” in old norse. I thought the verse that you posted for Evan was great, and I could imagine using that as well, but when I try to translate it into runes with this sites translation tool, something seems to go wrong. I noticed that the word þótt becomes just two Tyr-runes. Maybe the translation tool preferes english letters only? so þótt becomes thott and soforth, ð is dh, æ is ae, two l´s are just one, et.c.?
And also: I would like to give the verse a little twist so that instead of “but in old age he shall have no peace” it would be “but in slavery he shall have no peace”. “en thrael gefr”=”but in slavery”?

Its a lot, I know, but I would be most thankful if you could help me out, and if you´d like I could return the favor by sending you a piece of the end result, its going to be a kick-ass piece..

By: Viking Rune

Viking Rune — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:30:49 +0000

Ósnjallr maðr
hyggsk munu ey lifa,
ef hann við víg varask;
en elli gefr
hánum engi frið,
þótt hánum geirar gefi.

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:08:14 +0000

First off thank you for maintaining this site. I, like many others here, am of Scandinavian decent (Norwegian) and have found an identity in reconnecting with my heritage. I have been trying to learn Norwegian for a little while now and recently stumbled over the Havamal… Of course I can only understand the English version so far, but I am interested in finding on old Norse, or original, translation of a certain “verse”…

The coward believes he will live forever
If he holds back in the battle,
But in old age he shall have no peace
Though spears have spared his limbs.

If you can point me in the right direction I would be incredibly appreciative.