Expert: Maria - 10/2/2006

Question
Dear Maria

We are looking for a suitable Latin phrase for our library.  Two potential candidates have been suggested:

1. What would "Read in the name of your Lord" be in Latin?

2. The other suggestion was "Vox audita perit, littera scripta manet".  I think I may have heard this mentioned in a law-related situation. Isn't this legal jargon? Would it be suitable for a young persons' library?

Looking forward to your reply.  Thank you.

Answer
Hello,

as for the translation of “Read in the name of your Lord”, here it is:

“Libros lege in nomine Domini”.

With regard to “Vox audita perit, littera scripta manet"
(The spoken word perishes, the written word remains), erroneously attributed to the poet Horace, it could be suitable for your purpose, though “littera scripta manet” is often used as a foreign term and translates as "the written letter lasts"(as evidence).

Therefore, to avoid ambiguity, you could use another Latin saying which reads:
“Verba volant, scripta manent”
(The words fly away, the writings remain).

Hope this can be helpful to you.
All the best,
Maria
___________________________________________________
Read = LIBROS LEGE (literally, 'Read books')
in the name = IN NOMINE
of your Lord = DOMINI


The spoken word =  VOX AUDITA
Perishes= PERIT
The written word = LITTERA SCRIPTA
Remains= MANET


The words = VERBA
fly away = VOLANT
the writings = SCRIPTA
remain = MANENT