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Talk:Coat of arms of Asturias

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Translation of the legend

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The article provides a too liberal translation of the legend "HOC SIGNO TVETVR PIVS - HOC SIGNO VINCITVR INIMICVS" as "This symbol brought victory over the enemy. This symbol protects the pious." The actual English translation of the Latin original is: "With this sign [hōc signō] the pious [pius] is protected [tuētur]. With this sign [hōc signō] the enemy [inimīcus] was vanquished [vincītur]." Note that "this sign" is not the verbal subject in any case, but an ablative phrase of instrumental meaning; i.e, in the Latin original the cross sign is pictured as just a (sacred, but inanimate) tool (an amulet) that the pious uses to protect himself and win over the enemy, rather than an active agent as implied by a translation that puts it as the subject/actor of the sentences. 62.83.158.129 (talk) 02:15, 9 November 2015 (UTC)[reply]

dexter and sinister

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"The arms comprise a legend: "HOC SIGNO TVETVR PIVS - HOC SIGNO VINCITVR INIMICVS" (Lat. "This symbol brought victory over the enemy. This symbol protects the pious."), the former on the dexter and the latter on the sinister." The svg file though displays it just the opposite way — HOC SIGNO TVETVR PIVS in sinister and HOC SIGNO VINCITVR INIMICVS in dexter. Note that dexter and sinister are supposed to be viewed from the viewpoint of the shield (or the shieldbearer), and not the viewer – so sinister in heraldry is on what English language considers the right side and vice versa. Refer to Dexter and sinister and Proper right. 188.193.138.128 (talk) 20:53, 2 February 2017 (UTC)[reply]