Expert: Maria - 8/28/2006

Question
Hi
I wanted to use the Latin word Servitium to denote service in employment however I have a dictionary reference that defines it as slavery (not the connotation I was hoping).

Could you explain the relationship of slavery to Servitium?


Answer
Hi,

The Latin noun SERVITIUM (neuter, 2nd.declension) derives from the verb SERVIO (‘I am a slave’, I serve’) as well as from the noun / adjective SERVUS (slave).

Therefore SERVITIUM means exactly ‘slavery’, ‘servitude’, while its plural SERVITIA means ‘the slaves’, ‘the slave class’.

To conclude SERVITIUM cannot be used to denote service in employment as it is closely connected to the concept of slavery.

As for “service in employment”, in Latin there are two nouns which indicate this.

Here they are:

1- “ Munus “ (nominative neuter belonging to the 3rd.declension)- “ Muneris “ (genitive case).

2- “ Officium “(nominative neuter belonging to the 2nd. Declension) - “ Officii “ (genitive case).

Latin is in fact an inflected language, as you know, and then every term must be modified according to its function in the context.
For example, “Munus (or ‘officium’) explere” means “To be in service” where ‘to be’ is EXPLERE and ‘in service’ is the accusative MUNUS / OFFICIUM.

Hope all is clear enough.
Best regards,
Maria