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souvent me souvient
That's what wikipedia claims is Christ's College's motto. And they translate it as 'I Often Remember'. Now what does this signify? I really can't think of what it means. Googling it gives another interpretation - Remember me often.
So which one is true?
So which one is true?
Well I can only comment because I'm doing French at A Level, and I would say it means 'remember me often' but I don't know anything about the motto!
It's probably remember me often - my theory is that as Henry VII's mother, Margaret Beaufort, sort of set it up after Henry decided to knock the old college down to build Kings, she would want them to remember her often. Bit like a legacy? Just a theory but makes sense.. at least in my head! 
it's "I often remember". our Master told me that, and he studies French literature, so I'm guessing he would know. it's lady margaret's motto but i have no idea why! she was pretty religious though so maybe something to do with that.
wow, that was interesting
wow, that was interesting
Whilst on teh subject of old mottoes, Clare's latin Grace from before formal hall essentially translates as "may you leave knowing a little bit more then when you arrived". I like that sentiment...
selwyn's is 'be manly' hehe
feanor_telamon
That's what wikipedia claims is Christ's College's motto. And they translate it as 'I Often Remember'. Now what does this signify? I really can't think of what it means. Googling it gives another interpretation - Remember me often.
So which one is true?
So which one is true?
if it was "I often remember" shouldnt it be "souviens"?
Mr. Jim
if it was "I often remember" shouldnt it be "souviens"?
The french might prefer [je]m'en souviens
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient. If you think of the literal meaning of "se souvenir de", "to remind (souvenir) o.s. (se) of (de)" - rendering "it reminds me often" noting the meaning of "remind"="to make s.o. remember", therefore "[it] often makes me remember" leading to "I often remember"
As french is wont to distort the proper meanings of the classical latin, the "souvient" might be some kind of old usage, slightly closer to the original latin meaning. That's to say, where the latin "subvenire" (to help), literally "to come up [from below] [to - hence governing of dative]", "me souvient" means more literally, "it comes up to me", as in pops in your head or whatnot.
Trolley
The french might prefer [je]m'en souviens
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient. If you think of the literal meaning of "se souvenir de", "to remind (souvenir) o.s. (se) of (de)" - rendering "it reminds me often" noting the meaning of "remind"="to make s.o. remember", therefore "[it] often makes me remember" leading to "I often remember"
As french is wont to distort the proper meanings of the classical latin, the "souvient" might be some kind of old usage, slightly closer to the original latin meaning. That's to say, where the latin "subvenire" (to help), literally "to come up [from below] [to - hence governing of dative]", "me souvient" means more literally, "it comes up to me", as in pops in your head or whatnot.
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient. If you think of the literal meaning of "se souvenir de", "to remind (souvenir) o.s. (se) of (de)" - rendering "it reminds me often" noting the meaning of "remind"="to make s.o. remember", therefore "[it] often makes me remember" leading to "I often remember"
As french is wont to distort the proper meanings of the classical latin, the "souvient" might be some kind of old usage, slightly closer to the original latin meaning. That's to say, where the latin "subvenire" (to help), literally "to come up [from below] [to - hence governing of dative]", "me souvient" means more literally, "it comes up to me", as in pops in your head or whatnot.
and that's why you'e at oxbridge. lol
Trolley
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient.
"Se souvenir" is often used impersonally in Old French.
Your ideas regarding Lady Margaret Beaufort are probably correct, as this is also the motto of Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. However, the little scroll under the LMH badge has the french as "sovent me souviens".
Trolley
The french might prefer [je]m'en souviens
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient. If you think of the literal meaning of "se souvenir de", "to remind (souvenir) o.s. (se) of (de)" - rendering "it reminds me often" noting the meaning of "remind"="to make s.o. remember", therefore "[it] often makes me remember" leading to "I often remember"
As french is wont to distort the proper meanings of the classical latin, the "souvient" might be some kind of old usage, slightly closer to the original latin meaning. That's to say, where the latin "subvenire" (to help), literally "to come up [from below] [to - hence governing of dative]", "me souvient" means more literally, "it comes up to me", as in pops in your head or whatnot.
The souvient is probably impersonal, as in [ça] me souvient. If you think of the literal meaning of "se souvenir de", "to remind (souvenir) o.s. (se) of (de)" - rendering "it reminds me often" noting the meaning of "remind"="to make s.o. remember", therefore "[it] often makes me remember" leading to "I often remember"
As french is wont to distort the proper meanings of the classical latin, the "souvient" might be some kind of old usage, slightly closer to the original latin meaning. That's to say, where the latin "subvenire" (to help), literally "to come up [from below] [to - hence governing of dative]", "me souvient" means more literally, "it comes up to me", as in pops in your head or whatnot.
Fascinating. Does sound much cooler when put that way.
The Mediaeval French motto “souvent me souvient” was given to both Christ's College (my alma mater) in 1505, and to St John’s College in 1515, by their respective benefactor and founder, Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of King Henry VII.
The motto has a three-fold meaning:
1. “I often remember”;
2. “think of me often”;
3 and, as the homonym "souvent me sous vient" meaning “I often pass beneath it”.- apt as it is inscribed on many lintels throughout both colleges.
Old French/Medieval French from the late 15th to early 16th centuries, differs somewhat from modern-day French in that it is more aligned to Latin.
The motto has a three-fold meaning:
1. “I often remember”;
2. “think of me often”;
3 and, as the homonym "souvent me sous vient" meaning “I often pass beneath it”.- apt as it is inscribed on many lintels throughout both colleges.
Old French/Medieval French from the late 15th to early 16th centuries, differs somewhat from modern-day French in that it is more aligned to Latin.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by leannemarie
Well I can only comment because I'm doing French at A Level, and I would say it means 'remember me often' but I don't know anything about the motto!
It is taken Old French (Medieval) not modern French. as it dates back to the late 15th to early 16th centuries.
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