Translation Help?!

[Mair of the Tribe of Mar]

Assuming, of course, that this is what you intend the motto to convey.

Absolutely, courage is what I was going for! Now, how would you translate "My Courage comes from God"?

[slohairt]

Absolutely, courage is what I was going for! Now, how would you translate "My Courage comes from God"?

Ma smeddum comes frae God (Scots)

(Doesn't sound so great, does it?)

[Ruanaidh]

Perhaps you could consider Latin: Deus fortitudo mea est. It certainly sounds better.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Perhaps you could consider Latin: Deus fortitudo mea est. It certainly sounds better.

In Scotland mottoes tend to be rendered in Latin, English, Scots, French, or Gaelic. Looking at just "clan mottoes" Latin is the most common (approximately 75 clans have Latin mottoes), followed by English (approximately 26 mottoes), then French (18 mottoes), Scots (12 mottoes), and finally Gaelic (8 mottoes).

As suggested above, you may wish to consider using Latin for your motto. The Latin would normally be shortened to Deus fortitudo although "fortitude" and "courage" don't have quite the same meaning when translated into in English. Likewise you could use a variation on the motto of your clan Chief: Pans Plus (Think more). Perhaps something like Pans Plus Honor (Think More of Honour) as in "I think more of my honour than of my safety."

In Scottish heraldry there is a tradition, if you will, of having one's motto based on that of thier chief, something you may wish to think about before making a final decision. (The same holds true with newly devised arms-- ideally they should show "kinship" with the chief and clan.)

As with any motto there are both pros and cons whatever language you choose. English (the second most popular language for mottoes in Scotland) is the most accessible-- almost everyone you meet will be able to read, and understand, your motto. Latin is, along with French, perhaps a bit more elegant, whilst Scots and Gaelic are the most obscure (and often difficult to pronounce).

I offer no advise in this matter other than this: Choose well, because your arms and motto will be used for generations to come.