Quick Latin Translation Required

[Zavier]

I'm considering using Latin to title an exhibition - 'Meloria Silentio' - does this translate to 'To Remain Silent' - or is there a mistake in there, or should it be something else?

Thank you in advance!

ZE

[mockney piers]

I think that meliora means 'better' (mejor in Spanish) and I've a feeling silentio means 'silence' rather than 'silent'.

Romans they go the house?

You need a better man than I to come up with the correct phrase, but I've a feeling that loquere is the 'remain' part in aut tace aut meliora loquere silentio

[bigbadwolf]

A lot of other lesser mortals would be forgiven for assuming that Mockney was showing off his knowledge of the Romance languages there Zavier but we all know that he's a perfectly capable time traveller and went out of his way, or time, to unlock that particular mystery for you.

If you don't believe me ask the others about the time I booked a holiday in the Basque region of north eastern Spain and I couldn't read the neolithic guide book. I woke up the next morning and our favourite interpreter had left a gift wrapped Rosetta Stone on my doorstep along side a piece of Chorizo.

[Moos]

I'm a very rusty Latinist

aut tace - either remain

aut meliora loquere - or say something useful

silentio - silent

So I think you'd want 'tace silentio' but I'm really not sure. Also, you probably need it to be converted into the imperative, so perhaps something like tacere silentio. Over to someone else..

[bigbadwolf]

Moos doesn't own/can't afford a time machine so I'd be a little more than scepticle about her attempt at telling me off.

[Ted Max]

And yet I was recently derided for my O Level latin?

O tempura, O wasabi.

[mockney piers]

Of course of course, loqui to speak hence loquacious. My bad.

Mind you doesn't the tace in this mean quiet (hence tacit).

I think it means:

"either shutup unless what you say is better than silence".

I don't think there's anything about remaining or staying in it at all on second reading.

[bigbadwolf]

Fine,

I know where I'm not wanted.

[annaj]

Having had a decidely modern comprehensive school education (and not being proper posh like Mockney ;-)) I speak german, french and a little russian, but not latin.

However, a quick google search came up with this Latin Forum where I'm sure you'll find someone who knows the answer.

[Moos]

Piers, I think you were right - tace as in tacit, or Tacitum vivit sub pectore vulnus, Ted.

So in fact, what Zavier is looking for is just Tace.

[Moos]

And bless the internet: Tace.

[mockney piers]

I think you're right moos, tace is the imperative of taceo, to be silent.

Here's a very good site

http://archives.nd.edu/latgramm.htm

and oi j no! Not proper posh ;-)

Just curious (gcse French was as far as I got)

[SimonM]

Caesar adsum iam forte

Pompeii aderat

Caesar sic in omnibus

Pompeii sic inat

SimonM (A Level Latin, failed)

[monica]

It is better silent, meloria or Migliore (italian) is better. I am ok with Latin because I speak italian and find it easier to translate from italian then spanish, I also speak spanish.

[giggirl]

I was rubbish at Latin but, having been raised Catholic, I can still remember whole tranches of the Latin Mass. I'm surprised nobody has posted this....

[mockney piers]

thanks for that and good for you monica.

Anyway had a think and a dig around and tace is the singular imperative, tacete would be second person plural which is probably more appropriate.

I don't know whether this makes sense in Latin, but a literal translation of remain silent is:

Remanete Silens

this can actually be remain still as well as silent as it goes.

Hope that helps. Any more thoughts and indeed details about this exhibition.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

mockney piers Wrote:

Of course of course, loqui to speak hence loquacious. My bad.

Its not perfect or even pluperfect but anyone who can combine a smidgeon of Latin with a smudgeon of Jafrican in one short sentence gets my vote in This months Forum Comedy Awards...