Hi Reg,
I was taught to put the stress on LI...te...ram (or LI...te...ras for
that matter). But that's not necessarily correct as, let's face it,
nobody really knows how classical Latin was spoken, and, the later the
Latin, the more different accents there were - German Latin, Italian
Latin, English Latin, even, would you believe, Scottish Latin. I think
Italians might well put the stress on the middle syllable, as you have
done.
I've been racking my brains to think of any kind of song with that word
in it, because it might have been interesting to see how the composer
set it, but then again, that might depend on the nationality of the
composer. But I can't think of anything so far.
Maybe what you need to do is set up a school of Australian Latin
pronunciation! You could come up with a justification for either
possibility, and so you could pick the one which gives the best tune.
Sorry, I've not been much help. As regards which variant of the motto is
correct, what do you think the motto should mean?
Regards, Sheila
>I'd like to ask the lady where the stresses lie on two mottos
>one of which is the current one, though which is which has yet
>to be ascertained.
>
>This is for an anthem, so obviously the stresses are important and I'm so
>pleased a scholar has arisen. It's intended for Scotch College in Victoria.
>
>The older one I think is ..Deo Partrie Literas the other is
>Deo Partrie Literam : assuming the latter is correct we've
>placed the stress is on the li..TE..ram. As I'm no scholar in this
>field I would appreciate your assistance so as not to be the one
>held responsible for inculcating young minds with unnecessary
>errors. Maybe I'm being a bit nit picky too, I don't think so though.
>
>Thanks you, Reg.
>
--
Sheila Graham
www.sheilagraham.demon.co.uk
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