crenfro wrote:
Deus Gubernat Navem - "God Steers the Vessel".
I'm sure there is different ways to say steer or direct and since vessel has a double meaning here anyway, I'm sure there are variations.
Looks to me like someone may have gotten a bit too fancy with their translation.
Unfortunately, the word "Navem" (the accusative of navis) can only mean 'a ship' in Latin. As far as I am aware, it does not have a double meaning and it would not be very accurate to translate it as "vessel" which could. Your family motto would be better translated as "God Steers the Ship" or perhaps even better "God is Steering the Ship," assuming the Latin was the original instead of vice versa.
"Vessel" itself actually comes from the Latin word
vas whence also comes the word "vase"
Of course, "God Steers the Vessel" is a much more beautiful motto and
Stiúrann Dia an soitheach probably sounds much more romantic than
Bíonn Dia ag stiúradh na loinge. By all means go with what you want, it's your family after all!