I need a translation from english to latin - i am getting
contradictory results when i try on my own or ask my friends who know
latin very well.  I need to see the phrase "Let me not die" translated
into english.  not sure if the subjunctive of the verb "morior" would
be the right approach, or if the infinitive of morior should be used
in tandem with a verb meaning "allow" such as "permitto". to be clear
i am NOT looking for a phrase which means "let me live".

Hello.

The most common way of saying it seems to be:

"Ne me mori facias."


"ne me mori facias  / do not let me die"

From Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana":
http://www.classical.net/~music/comp.lst/works/orff-cb/carmlyr.html#track20


"Ne Me Mori Facias
(Don't let me die) "
http://www.geocities.com/paris/leftbank/5609/ne.html

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As for using some form of the verb permittere...  

Yes, that would be an alternate way of saying it. Here's an example
from a 16th century text:

"...non permittas me perire."
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Scriptorium/hehweb/HM1344.html

(Perire = to perish).


-------------
search strategy:
"ne me", latin, die
"non permittas"

I hope this helps. If anything is unclear, please let me know via the
"request clarification" feature. Thanks.

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Request for Answer Clarification by philth_666-ga on 14 Aug 2004 04:50 PDT

would it be more appropriate to use the imperative voice for "facias"
or "permittas"?  thanks very much.

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 14 Aug 2004 12:21 PDT

Well, I'm thinking that, as you suggested in the initial question,
"Let me not die" could be viewed as a hortatory subjunctive rather
than an imperative.

"Subjunctive Mood: First Person
...
Ne timeamus!
Let us not be afraid!"
http://www.mythfolklore.net/medieval_latin/grammar/imperative.htm

The first-person subjunctive of morior is moriatur.  For example:

"Let me die... / Moriatur..."
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom06.ii.xxxvi.html

As such, you could say, "Ne moriatur."

this is extremely helpful.  i like how the researcher sees there is
not an absolute "correct" in this case and suggests several
possibilities, providing backup to ensure my confidence in his/her
work.  i am very happy with this service.

Thank you for the tip.
-juggler

well deserved.  thank you for being so helpful.