Translation

What is it with English-speaking translators?

Someone pointed out to me that a portion of the Latin version (the official version) of the Pope's Apostolic Exhortation (which I still haven't read yet) is noticeably different than the English translation.

There is a section where it says:

In order to express more clearly the unity and universality of the Church, I wish to endorse the proposal made by the Synod of Bishops, in harmony with the directives of the Second Vatican Council, (182) that, with the exception of the readings, the homily and the prayer of the faithful, such liturgies could be celebrated in Latin. 

The Latin one says,

Ad melius ostendendam unitatem et universalitatem Ecclesiae, cupimus commendare suasiones Synodi Episcoporum, consonantes cum normis Concilii Vaticani II: (182) exceptis lectionibus, homilia et oratione fidelium, aequum est ut huiusmodi celebrationes fiant lingua Latina.

This says that it is aequum - right, just, fitting - that these celebrations be done in Latin.  In the English translation of the Mass, when it says in the Preface that it is aequum to give God thanks, there it is rendered that it is our duty to give Him thanks.  I looked in other languages I know something of, and they all seem to say, instead of "they could...be in Latin," some variation of "it is good...that they be in Latin."  The next sentence says that in general, priests should be able to celebrate Mass in Latin, and the people should know at least the more common prayers.

As long as I'm picking on things, "wish" is a not incorrect translation of cupio, which is the verb the Latin uses for the things the Pope wants in this doc, including in this instance.  However, there is another perfectly good verb that merely means "wish" or "want" - volo.  The word cupio (actually, it says "cupimus," the plural), has the connotations of "to long for, be eager for, to desire," or even to covet.

Comments

[Matt]

AGENDA.

[Thomas]

How clever of you to comment in Latin ;-)