Hello, I will be getting my first tattoo in just over a week, and i’ve been planning it for 4 months or so.
It basically incorporates alot of different ideas that relate to me:
1. shakespeare quote, firstly as I love the works of shakespeare and because the same quote is used in a song by my favourite artist Emilie Autumn. And it explains my attitude towards love and loyalty.
2. German – I’ve studied german for 6 years now and I love everything about it, not saying im amazing at it, but i plan to study it at uni so I can get better and I don’t see enough tattoos in foreign languages.
3. the flowers- all have their own meanings and in parts irony and also relate to another quote from Ophelia ( I love Ophelia in all her symbology)
anyway my problem is im 98% sure my quote which I got from a reputable source is correct as two authors have published translations of shakespeare in german and I picked the one I liked most ( and intergrated a line from the other one into it) could anyone give me reassurance that this makes sense in Elizabethan German-
Zweifle an des Feuers Hize,
Zweifle an der Sonne Klarheit,
Zweifle an der Sterne Licht,
Zweifel, ob lügen kann die Wahrheit,
Nur an meiner Liebe nicht!
though In my actual tattoo im spelling lügen, luegen, firstly to adjust to the font and 2ndly as the umlaut is a relatively new idea within the German language and I want this tatt to look old timey.
sorry for the immense post, but this will be my first tattoo and ALOT or thought and effort and scouring has gone into it, so I’m having jitters and want it to be PERFECT.
The font I’m using is from walden font and is ‘based’ on shakespeare’s handwriting
and The placement is my right ribs, I know they’re supposed to kill but I figure if I go there first every tattoo after that will be a breeze, and it shouldn’t affect any future job opportunities ( unless i suddenly decided to go for bikini modelling). Will post a pic when it’s nice and healed.
First of all, here’s the original for those who don’t know it. I think it’s a brilliant quote:
Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt thou the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt, I love.
What I noticed about the translation you found there – it is Hitze! Dunno why the sources online keep omitting that.
You are actually combining two different official translations here. The first one includes the additional line you inserted, but that means that the next to last line was altered as well to use a different rhyme scheme so it doesn’t just stand there on its own:
Zweifle an des Feuers Hitze,
Zweifle an der Sonne Licht,
Zweifle, ob die Wahrheit lüge,
Liebste, nur an deinem Siege,
Und an meiner Liebe nicht.
and the other one is:
Zweifle an der Sonne Klarheit,
Zweifle an der Sterne Licht,
Zweifl’, ob lügen kann die Wahrheit,
Nur an meiner Liebe nicht.
EDIT: Found the far more accurate (both in meaning and language style) version I personally like better:
Zweifle dass die Sterne brennen,
Zweifle dass die Sonne kreist,
Dass wir Lüg von Wahrheit kennen,
Wenn du dass ich liebe weißt
I used to know an artist names Emily Autumn… she was from Nevada City, CA
Same one?
Here she is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilie_Autumn
And the song is called “Opheliac”
http://www.lyricstime.com/emilie-autumn-opheliac-lyrics.html
Why Yes it is glad I found other EA fans on here, I love the Opheliac song and alot of her other stuff, not to mention the unique sense of style.
I did combine the two coz I liked the way they fitted,lol, will be sure to tell my artist about that spelling error.
I do like your last version but Not my favourite, the two lies are more accurate but the last two don’t have the feel I’m looking for,Glad to find some other german speakers on here to, I love european languages a bit too much,haha, many people say I should have just gone for the english version but Its not the same.
Getting my tattoo TOMMOROW!!! quite nervous lol, but more so about getting there and not letting my parents find out, haha.
Actually I only looked her up because you mentioned her but have to admit she’s an amazing artist. Thanks for pointing her out!
I do like your last version but Not my favourite, the two lies are more accurate but the last two don’t have the feel I’m looking for
No worries, just wanted to show you all available options I was aware of, after all we did cover that in school a couple of years ago *feels old*.
It’s great to see that there ARE people in the US interested in such things, what I hear a lot both from American and English people is that they are somewhat embarrassed seeing non native speakers do well in English while they themselves only speak their mother tongue (I am German by the way). Obviously in Europe it is easier to practise your language skills since spending your holidays or maybe some time as an au pair in another country is a lot more feasible and cheaper!
Good luck with that then, please keep us updated! I felt old earlier in this post, but the advantage is I don’t have to worry about anyone finding out about my plans for the 30th.
I hope your parents come to accept your decision to go for this tattoo… let’s face it, there are worse things than a well-planned tattoo in a location most people won’t get to see it anyway (unless you happen to run around in undies or a bikini a lot).
She’s one of the people I believe can truly be called an artist as a woman who can sing, is classicaly trained in violin and harpsichord, writes her own songs and compositions and designs and makes her own clothes and jewellery which she sells on tour ( I’ve got a teacup and saucer that she decorated.)
I think my mum would be alright with it, but my dad got one of those on the spot tattoos just to make you look hard and rebel on his arm when he was young so now he despises them,lol.
It should be easier for me to learn german but the American Education system seems so much more supportive, I met alot of Americans when I was in germany who were allowed to stay over there for three months, My school freaked when I told them I’d be missing for three days coz I was going to germany, and I wouldn’t mind but Most of the lessons I missed were german.
Got my tattoo today, the numbing cream turns out it wasnt very powerful and actually didnt take in most places so I might have well done without it lol, hence it hurt like a B***h, though I held my dememour much better than another man who had a rib tattoo done and needed to bite a lollipop stick and made some noise apparently, I wouldn’t know as I sat there with my ipod in to take my mind off things, took just over two hours with all the finelining and colouring and I LOVE IT. will take a pik when the swelling has gone down.
I think everyone there was quite surprised with my lack of reaction as I dont look like much and it was my first tattoo ( I got called hard as nails, LOL) any way it was all worth it and I was actually there planning the next haha.
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