Latin
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
Latin is an ancient Human language, the original language of the Romans.
Many Earth proverbs are in Latin and are often used as mottos of starships or installations. A course based on this language is taught at Starfleet Academy. (TNG: "The Game")
When Wesley Crusher was on leave from Starfleet Academy, Captain Jean-Luc Picard checked on his Latin by asking him:
- Quomodo tua Latinitas est? ("How is your Latin?")
Wesley responded:
- Praestat quam prius. ("It's better than before.")
whereupon the Captain responded:
The term arboretum is derived from the Latin word for tree, arbor. This connection was noted by the Cairn Hedril in 2370. (TNG: "Dark Page")
The holographic Henry Burleigh advised his governess Lucille Davenport, played by Captain Kathryn Janeway: "In ullam rem ne properemus", ("Let's not rush into anything") and asked her whether her Latin was a little rusty when the Captain didn't understand his remark. Janeway admitted that her Latin was indeed a little rusty. (VOY: "Learning Curve")
[edit] Mottos
| Phrase | Translation | Application | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Astra per Aspera | "Reach for the Stars Through Adversity" | Earth Starfleet, 2161 | ENT: "These Are the Voyages..." |
| Audentes fortuna iuvat | "Fortune favors the bold" | Columbia (NX-02) | ENT: "Home", "Affliction", "Divergence" |
| Audentes Fortuna Imperii | "The bold (are) the fortune of the empire." | ISS Avenger | ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II" |
| Caveat emptor | "Let the buyer beware." | Applied to the Ferengi Alliance tactics by Data. | TNG: "The Last Outpost" |
| Ex astris scientia | "Knowledge, from the stars." | Starfleet Academy | TNG: "The First Duty" |
| Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges | "In time of war, the law falls silent." | Applied to Section 31 tactics by William Ross. | DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" |
| Tempus fugit | "Time Flees" or "Time Flies" | Spoken by Braxton. | VOY: "Relativity" |
[edit] Background
Several episode titles derive from Latin phrases including:
- TNG: "Sub Rosa" - "Under the rose", an expression meaning "secretly".
- DS9:
- "Dramatis Personae"- "The persons of the drama".
- "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges" - literally "Through arms, the law becomes mute", but translated by Bashir as "In times of war, the law falls silent"
- VOY:
- "Ex Post Facto" - "After the fact"
- "Non Sequitur" - "It does not follow"
- ENT:
- "Terra Nova" - "New Earth"
- "Vox Sola" - "Lone Voice"
