I have heard the phrase “vieglas smiltes” and understand it - but am at a loss as to an English translation that would accurately describe the intent of it. Anyone willing to provide one that would make sense? Thanks.

Lai tev vieglas smiltis

This is another one used for funerals. Though its litteral meaning is “May the sand (of the grave) be light to you”, its pragmatic use is quite the same as the one “rest in peace” or “requiescat in pace”.
In Latvia this is a very oftenly used phrase for that purpose. Personally, I would say it is even more useful than the loan-translations from Latin/German

Thank-you Peter. These are always tough ones, in that as I said - you may understand it, but to put in proper context in English can be difficult. I trust that even though it is meant for a burial - that it can still be used where cremation has taken place?

It could be used at any kind of burial method........
arguably, smiltis jau ir vieglas after cremation.

Always nice to have a confirmation. This isn’t an saying that was commonly used where I am, and truth be said, I am a little out of practice, in that there seemed to be a fair gap between passings here. I happen to like this one, although I am not sure why. Once again - thank-you

The proper Latin phrase is “Sit tibi terra levis!”

>The proper Latin phrase is “Sit tibi terra levis!”

>Seskis

Alluded to by the classicist and poet A. E. Housman:

“Oh, on my breast in days hereafter
Light the earth should lie,
Such weight to bear is now the air,
So heavy hangs the sky.”

Stephen

Other phrases heard at a funeral,

“(mirusais) ir pievienojies velju pulkiem”

“(mirusais) ir aizsaukts vinjsaulee”

“(mirusais) ir aizsaulee”

“(mirusais) ir aigajis pie teeviem”

“(mirusais) ir aizveris acis uz muziem”

The “vieglas smiltis” refers to the cemetary usually being in a sandy place - land not usable for farming.

How about:

“Kicked the bucket.”
“Nolika karoti.”

Does anyone know ones that were intended in a negative way?

A negative way to desribe someones death is to say
that “shamais nospraaga”. like we descibed
Stalin’s death. Only among reliable friends.

Pete-- You probably know the other ( of many) stories about Stalin---when referring to his place of burial, you would say:  “Ak tur tas suns aprakts"---( So that is where the dog is buried) You would use this expression when responding to new information or a new fact “Aaah, ak tur tas suns aprakts!”
Very functional even today.

Re shamais nospraaga--nospaaga is usually used referring to the death of livestock or animals in general. I suppose you could use it for a person, but it is really degoratory.

For Latvians, death is an expected part of the life-cycle. There is an amazing acceptance of this after a long, hopefully giving, productive life. The dainas ( folk songs) understandably lament the death of a young person--you should weep for them, but not for the death of someone elderly whose time has come. Will keep my eye out for “negative” expressions.  Prof. Straubergs “Parunas” ( folk-sayings) should have something.

kristine`
“ tur tas suns aprakts” has other meanings too. Maybe it is similar to
german saying: “ Ja liegt ein hund begraben”. Someone translated that
to “Trere’s a ###### in the woodpile”. I suppose it may be............ And latvians can’t toe the line,
because ?

Another one - “atstiepa pedaaljus”

Hi,
your conversation has helped me a lot to understand some of the Latvian words.
thank you .

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