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Latin diploma from Maynooth College

English translation: English translation of Latin diploma from Maynooth College

14:33 May 11, 2022
Latin to English translations [PRO]
Religion / diploma
Latin term or phrase: Latin diploma from Maynooth College
I would be grateful to learn of any translations of this diploma into English, as I wish to avoid obvious errors. It begins:
Optime sano consilio institutum est, ut qui Sapientiae comparandae dant operam, laboris industriaeque suae fructum honestissimum assequantur. Itaque cum
[name]
Sacram Theologiam omni animi sui nisu susceperit excolendam editisque pro recta studiorum istius Athenaei ratione legibus parens, statuto tempore sui progressus specimen exhibuerit et [BLANK!] centesimas suffragiorum retulerit, auctoritate S. Sedis nobis delata, in nomine Summi Pontificis ...
George Ferzoco
English translation:English translation of Latin diploma from Maynooth College
Explanation:
Yes, a percentage (between 0 and 100) should be written into the blank. In good Latin, the number to be filled in there should not be a grade point average but instead the results of voting by a number of individuals (perhaps the Theology faculty). I think the text could roughly be translated along the following lines:

"Sound counsel has excellently established that those who endeavour to acquire Wisdom should obtain the truly worthy fruits of their work and effort. Given therefore that [name] has undertaken the study of Holy Theology with all his/her force and, in compliance with the rules issued regarding the proper method of study at this Academy, at the appointed time showed evidence of his/her advance and received [BLANK!] percent of the votes, by the authority of the Holy See entrusted to us and in the name of the Supreme Pontiff ..."

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Note added at 6 hrs (2022-05-11 20:49:09 GMT)
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However, while I can imagine a college saying that the faculty voted to approve the granting of a degree, I cannot imagine the college giving the actual percentage of that vote, so in place of "and received [BLANK!] percent of the votes" I think one should write "and obtained a grade of [BLANK!] percent".

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Note added at 10 hrs (2022-05-12 01:19:55 GMT)
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So they did fill in the name but they didn't fill in the blank? I think it would be reasonable to assume that they left it blank because it didn't apply in this case.

What to do with the blank depends on who will be reading the translation. If the person reading it will have the original diploma in front of him/her, then he/she might expect to find a blank in the translation as well. But if not, then it might be licit to treat the blank as though they had written "N.A." there, and not translate that part of the sentence or else fudge the translation in the way you suggest. In cases like this I typically inform the agency/customer who requested the translation and ask what the preference would be.
Selected response from:

Mark Pleas
Japan
Local time: 15:59
Grading comment
As noted above: This is a superb, nuanced consideration of the problems posed by this text.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4English translation of Latin diploma from Maynooth College
Mark Pleas


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
English translation of Latin diploma from Maynooth College


Explanation:
Yes, a percentage (between 0 and 100) should be written into the blank. In good Latin, the number to be filled in there should not be a grade point average but instead the results of voting by a number of individuals (perhaps the Theology faculty). I think the text could roughly be translated along the following lines:

"Sound counsel has excellently established that those who endeavour to acquire Wisdom should obtain the truly worthy fruits of their work and effort. Given therefore that [name] has undertaken the study of Holy Theology with all his/her force and, in compliance with the rules issued regarding the proper method of study at this Academy, at the appointed time showed evidence of his/her advance and received [BLANK!] percent of the votes, by the authority of the Holy See entrusted to us and in the name of the Supreme Pontiff ..."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2022-05-11 20:49:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

However, while I can imagine a college saying that the faculty voted to approve the granting of a degree, I cannot imagine the college giving the actual percentage of that vote, so in place of "and received [BLANK!] percent of the votes" I think one should write "and obtained a grade of [BLANK!] percent".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 hrs (2022-05-12 01:19:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

So they did fill in the name but they didn't fill in the blank? I think it would be reasonable to assume that they left it blank because it didn't apply in this case.

What to do with the blank depends on who will be reading the translation. If the person reading it will have the original diploma in front of him/her, then he/she might expect to find a blank in the translation as well. But if not, then it might be licit to treat the blank as though they had written "N.A." there, and not translate that part of the sentence or else fudge the translation in the way you suggest. In cases like this I typically inform the agency/customer who requested the translation and ask what the preference would be.

Mark Pleas
Japan
Local time: 15:59
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
As noted above: This is a superb, nuanced consideration of the problems posed by this text.
Notes to answerer
Asker: This is a superb, nuanced consideration of the problems posed by this text. I think one way around the issue of the blank is to fudge this section altogether, given that the diploma clearly states that the degree was of an upper second-class standing (whatever that may be at that institution). Instead of saying 'blank' one could not inaccurately rephrase 'advance and received [BLANK!] percent of the votes' as 'advance and obtained grades such that' - what do you think? Whatever your answer, I thank you very much, Mark, for the consideration you've given this query of mine.

Asker: I neglected initially to state that the degree name is accompanied by a declaration of its degree classification: apologies!

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