
Tuesday, March 13th, 2007
|
 |
veritas vos liberabit
|
|
Last Online: 7 Hours Ago 00:44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Península Hispánica
Posts: 1,454
|
|
Re: Notes on the Statue of Liberty
For those interested in more details, "liberty" is not exactly the same as "freedom" (as many Romance language speakers might think), but there's a subtle difference very well explained at dictionary.com:
Quote:
lib·er·ty  /ˈlɪb ər ti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties.- freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.
- freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.
- freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.
- freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint: The prisoner soon regained his liberty.
- permission granted to a sailor, esp. in the navy, to go ashore.
- freedom or right to frequent or use a place: The visitors were given the liberty of the city.
- unwarranted or impertinent freedom in action or speech, or a form or instance of it: to take liberties.
|
It's also curious to note that "liberty" has little usage among Americans if we compare both words, so I wonder if there was some reason for that preference... 
__________________
"Do not be suprised, my friend, that I long so much for remote lands in which people feel immensely rich with very little; it is true that I live in Rome enjoying a life of fame and prestige, but it is also true that I was born from Celts and Iberians."
--Marcus Valerius Martialis, Epigrammata
|