Language desk
< December 30	<< Nov \| December \| Jan >>	January 1 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Language Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

December 31

Help with translation

Hello! I have a pretty simple question (trying to translate Slovenia's reaction to the execution of Husein, what a cheerful topic for New Year's Eve!): if you are convicted, you are a _____ ? Even better, if seven other people were convicted with him, it makes them his ____? (something like co-convicteds, but obviously not this word). Thanks very much, --Missmarple 15:35, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

For the first, you can use convict as a noun (the stress shifts to the first syllable). For the second, maybe conspirators? Accomplices? —Keenan Pepper 17:25, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

For the second I'd use co-convicts. --Lambiam ^Talk 17:36, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Although "convict" is indeed a noun, and technically it does mean someone who has been convicted of a crime, that doesn't mean it's what's sought for here. Would you really call Saddam Hussein a convict? 12.108.87.112 04:04, 5 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

symbols

/ˈɪŋglɪʃ/ i ask al da time but no one tels me wat thos strang simbols are....—Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.142.130.27 (talk • contribs)

That's one pronunciation of the word English written in the International Phonetic Alphabet. See IPA chart for English. —Keenan Pepper 17:20, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Plural of "Software"

What is the plural form of the word "Software"? Or is software already in its plural form? Ex. "I have used many of the popular software(s) designed for PC's and Mac's." Thanks. Jamesino 19:26, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Software is an uncountable noun. You can say "I have used much of the popular software" or "I have used many of the popular software programs." -- Mwalcoff 19:36, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

When 'software' was borrowed into French, its meaning wasw changed, so that it is often used where 'program' or 'application' would be used in English. I don't know whether this may be the case in other languages as well. --ColinFine 18:22, 1 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Latin translation of a Petrarch work title

Looking for what this title says in English: DE SECRETO CONFLICTU CURARUM MEARUM I found it here. Is this work in English online or perhaps in a library? Is this work related to Secretum or Petrarch's "My Secret Book" or is it a separate work? --Doug 20:41, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'd translate the title as: "On the hidden conflict of my concerns". Two words are problematic because they have several meanings. Secretus literally means: "put apart", which can mean "hidden from sight", "concealed", whether by design ("secret"), by accident, or otherwise. Cura can mean all of: "care", "carefulness", "something you care for", "the act of taking care", "cure", "concern", "sorrow", "pain". I picked the particular translation above from all possibilities only because it appeared a somewhat plausible combination. This is the same book as referred to by the name Secretum or Secretum meum, or in English "My Secret Book"; the second link you gave is a translation of the Latin at the first link. --Lambiam ^Talk 22:51, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks Lambiam! That was most useful. --Doug 01:23, 1 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]