GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
18:58 Dec 4, 2008 |
English to Latin translations [Non-PRO] Law/Patents - Government / Politics | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| Selected response from: Joseph Brazauskas United States Local time: 19:16 | |||
Grading comment
|
Summary of answers provided | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
5 | res publica/imperium/regnum/dictio/phrase |
|
government res publica/imperium/regnum/dictio/phrase Explanation: The English word government can be taken in at least four common sesnes: [1] The phrase 'res publica' carries most connotations of English 'government, state'. It's moist literal translation would be 'commonwealth'. [2] 'Imperium' means political or military power entrusted to an official magistrate under the Republic, whether civil or military, but under the Empire came to refer chief to the supreme power wielded by the Emperor. [3] 'Regnum' means literally 'kingdom'. [4] 'Dictio' is a more restricted term and refers to the plotical, usually judicial, powers of specific persons. [1] In a a concrete sense, as the persons and groups of persons who run the government; to render this, one must use the title of a specific official or officials (e.g., 'consul', 'praetor', 'senator') or, if referring to government personnel collectively, one may use (in specific cases) the plural of the titles of the above magistrates or more simply a descriptive relative clause (e.g, 'qui rei publicae presunt' = '(those) who are in chage of the state' or 'qui imperium habent' = '(he) who holds power'). -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 17 hrs (2008-12-05 12:27:59 GMT) Post-grading -------------------------------------------------- The English word 'government' derives ultimately from the Greek verb 'kybernân', 'to steer, pilot (a ship)'. Metaphorically this came to mean 'to guide, govern'. The Romans took the word over into Latin, it having become modified in their mouths into 'gubernare' but retaining the same meanings. In very late and Mediaeval Latin, the instrumental suffix '-mentum' was added to the root 'guberna-' to form 'gubernamentum', and this, via its Old French form 'governement', was taken into Middle English, surviving in common use to this day. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 5 days (2008-12-09 23:32:50 GMT) Post-grading -------------------------------------------------- '-mentum' is not a word but a nominal suffix indicating means or instrument. Thus, e.g., 'regimentum' ('rule') consists of the root in 'regere', (to rule, guide) + the suffix '-mentum'. A briefer variant of this suffix is '-men' (cf. 'regimen'). |
| ||
Grading comment
| |||
Notes to answerer
| |||
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) |
Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.