#additional side note: i learned a new word in my native language too (rapacious) so that's cool

[nordic-language-love]

New/Useful Words and Expressions from Ptolemaios’ Port (Chapter 12)

Ptolemaios’ Port is a Norwegian translation of an English book. I own both the Norwegian translation and the original English, so I thought it’d be fun to compare the two as I’m learning new vocab!

aktelse [nm] - esteem, regard, respect

Norsk: Jeg ville ha trodd at du satte min aktelse høyere enn det spilte slimet til en døyende demon.

English: I would have thought that you valued my regard rather higher than the spilled slime of a fading demon.

A little context just because this is a weird sentence: demons in this book have ‘essence’ (described as a slime-like substance) rather than blood. They’re also treated like slaves, so putting the wellbeing of one ahead of government business is a bit of a no-no.

atskillig [adv/adj] - several, considerable, numerous (can also be used as a noun)

Norsk: Atskillige par øyne fulgte dem der de gikk.

English: Several pairs of eyes followed them as they went.

blottlagt [adj] - exposed, vulnerable (lit. made soft)

Norsk: Det fikk ham til å føle seg naken og blottlagt.

English: It made him feel exposed and naked.

glupsk [adj] - ravenous

Norsk: Ptolemaios’ sult etter kunnskap var like glupsk som kongssønnens begjær etter makt

English: Ptolemy’s hunger for knowledge was just as ravenous as the king’s son’s lust for power

grisk [adj] - rapacious, greedy

Norsk: Enkelte andre (de åpenlyst griske eller forvillede) ble nektet hjelp.

English: To a few (the more obviously covetous or deluded), help was refused.

overdådig [adj] - lavish, opulent

Norsk: Dette er unge Bobby Watts, stjernen i mitt neste overdådige teaterstykke!

English: This is young Bobby Watts, star of my next extravaganza!

utspjåket [adj] - excessively dressed-up

Norsk: Over plenen kom en tykk herremann utspjåket i en turkis smoking.

English: Across the lawns came a short, round gentleman splendidly attired in turquoise evening dress.

Side note: from what I can tell, ‘utspjåket’ has generally negative connotations; Det Norske Akademis Ordbok defines it as “dressed up in an excessive and tasteless way; overdressed”. So while ‘splendidly attired’ gives the impression the man looks extravagant but at least appropriately-dressed for the occasion, the Norwegian translation gives a slightly different picture. Which I love, and think is much more fitting with the character.

å vralte - to waddle

Norsk: Så gikk de til alle kanter og avslørte kongens sønn og Egypts tronarving, som vraltet seg langsomt opp trappetrinnene.

English: They drew apart to reveal the king’s son and heir to the throne of Egypt, slowly swaggering up the steps.

Side note: Another creatively liberal interpretation here, I think? The guy’s a fat, arrogant drunkard, so I feel like either would work. Any natives care to chime in with their thoughts on this?

ren og skjær - outright

Norsk: Denne morgenen, som alle andre morgener, ble listen over klager, urettferdighet og ren og skjær elendighet test opp og vurderet.

English: That morning, as on every morning, the list of complaints, wrongs, and outright woes was recited and considered.

å være ikke helt ved sine full fem - to be a bit mad

Norsk: Han er uforskammet, og jeg tror ikke han er helt ved sine fulle fem.

English: He is impudent, and I believe mentally unsound.

Hvis jeg har gjort noen feil, vær så snill å fortelle meg :)

#rettelser velkomne #langblr norwegian #learning norwegian #jeg lærer meg norsk #norsk #norwegian #bokmål #language blog #langblr #languages #learning languages #norsk ordforråd #norwegian vocab #norwegian vocab list #additional side note: i learned a new word in my native language too (rapacious) so that's cool