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Multum interest, rem ipsam, an libros inspicias.

English translation: It is not the same whether you see the thing itself or a book (about it)

04:17 Jun 2, 2009
Latin to English translations [PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Latin term or phrase: Multum interest, rem ipsam, an libros inspicias.
Multum interest, rem ipsam, an libros inspicias.
Unfortunately there is no context.

Thank you!
Olga D.
Russian Federation
Local time: 15:42
English translation:It is not the same whether you see the thing itself or a book (about it)
Explanation:
Multum interest means: it is very important, it is not the same
the second sentence answers the question 'what is very important?" and the answer is: whether you see/examine the thing itself -- rem ipsam, or a book -- libros (plural, so: books, but it is better in singular, I think) about the thing.
inspicias is a praesens imperfectum coniunctivi (after interest it must be a coni.).

Péter
Selected response from:

Péter Jutai
Hungary
Local time: 14:42
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2It is not the same whether you see the thing itself or a book (about it)
Péter Jutai
5 +1It makes a great difference whether you examine the matter itself or the records [of it]
Joseph Brazauskas


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
It is not the same whether you see the thing itself or a book (about it)


Explanation:
Multum interest means: it is very important, it is not the same
the second sentence answers the question 'what is very important?" and the answer is: whether you see/examine the thing itself -- rem ipsam, or a book -- libros (plural, so: books, but it is better in singular, I think) about the thing.
inspicias is a praesens imperfectum coniunctivi (after interest it must be a coni.).

Péter

Péter Jutai
Hungary
Local time: 14:42
Native speaker of: Hungarian
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you, Peter! though inspicias seem to be a form that does not exist.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Łukasz Gos-Furmankiewicz: Agreed. Alternatively, you can say, "it matters much whether", but the answer covers this in the explanation.
3 hrs
  -> thank you. couldn't find the right English expression, thanks for your help.
neutral  Joseph Brazauskas: 'Inspicias' is present subjunctive singular, used in reference to an indefinite subject. But I suspect that the translation of 'multum interest' as 'it is not the same' is too specific and not supported by the context as it stands.
5 hrs
  -> yes, I see my fault. Thank you.
agree  Olga Cartlidge: "Inspicias" is indeed Coniunctivus Prasaentis.
17 hrs
  -> thanks a lot!
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +1
It makes a great difference whether you examine the matter itself or the records [of it]


Explanation:
'Multum' is here adverbial accusative, equivilent to a genitive of quality with 'interest'. 'Rem' probably refers to the matter at hand or under consideration, while 'libros' likely refers to any written records regarding the matter itself, the subjunctive ('inspicias') being the apodosis of an ideal (aka 'future less vivid') condition.

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 08:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 36
Notes to answerer
Asker: Joseph, thank you!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Veronika McLaren
2 hrs
  -> Maximas agit Veronicae gratias Iosephus.
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