Latin translation please!

June 25, 2006 2:55 PM

I just bought a puzzle today of an old map, and across the top it says "nova totius terrarum sive novi orbis tabula". Can anyone translate for me? My Latin is quite rusty!
posted by orangskye to grab bag (6 comments total)

New map of the nine regions of earth?
posted by Korou at 3:55 PM on June 25, 2006

A new map (nova tabula) of all lands (totius terrarum) or (sive) of the new world (novi orbis).
posted by athenian at 4:16 PM on June 25, 2006

athenian is right.... "novi" in this context means "new", not "nine"
posted by fvox13 at 5:16 PM on June 25, 2006

Just to add a little graphic display of the nesting:

NOVA totius terrarum sive novi orbis TABULA

For the millionth time, I ask myself why people who don't know the answer feel compelled to guess instead of waiting for someone who actually knows to come along.
posted by languagehat at 6:25 AM on June 26, 2006

Pro: It is better to try and fail, than to never try at all?

Versus the Yoda school of: "Do or Do not, there is no try."
posted by Atreides at 8:07 AM on June 26, 2006

For the millionth time, I ask myself why people who don't know the answer feel compelled to guess instead of waiting for someone who actually knows to come along.

But that's part of the fun of MeFi! Sometimes it's like a big Jeopardy show, and everyone is trying to push the button first.
posted by Bobtheordinary at 10:24 AM on June 26, 2006