The VRoma Latin Translation Project

Thanks to a generous grant to the EnCore Consortium by The Classical Association of the Atlantic States, on the first week in August 2008 six intrepid classicists gathered in Muncie, Indiana, to translate the “voice” of VRoma (all of the system and interface messages, menu items, buttons, etc.) into classical Latin: David M. Conti (Saint Mark's School); John C. Gruber-Miller (Cornell College); Barbara F. McManus (The College of New Rochelle); Stephen A. Nimis (Miami University); Ann. R. Raia (The College of New Rochelle); James S. Ruebel (Ball State University). Jim Ruebel, Dean of the Honors College at Ball State University, graciously offered the group facilities for their grueling three days of intense translation. The following photos (taken in the classroom by Ann) illustrate their work, whose fruits can be seen in this glossary and can be experienced first-hand by a visit to VRoma.

translators at work

Barbara and David smile for the camera while John studies the guidelines on the blackboard.

translators at work

Jim applauds when he and Steve find the perfect Roman word for “player class” (dignitas).

translators relaxing

Exhausted but still smiling, the translators gather for dinner in downtown Muncie at the conclusion of the workshop.

translators at work

John and Jim consider how to express a difficult modern concept in Latin Cicero would have understood.

translators at work

Barbara and David juggle dictionaries and studiously avoid the tempting bag of cookies.

translators at work

Ann, Barbara, and John contemplate sending a letter to David Letterman in Latin (“the top 10 Latin computer terms”?) but decide they are just too tired.

Project Co-Directors: Barbara F. McManus (The College of New Rochelle) and Suzanne Bonefas (Rhodes College)
Web Design: Barbara F. McManus and Daniel Jung (University of Bergen)