Talk:E pluribus unum

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I question why there is a 'similarity' reference to 'Unity in Diversity' - the United States motto aims to make its many immigrants join one America, the European Union one has no such goal and wants to preserve the differences between the diverse groups. If there are no reasonable objections I intend to remove this line. michael talk 02:51, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

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[edit] "Unum" is supposed to be capitalized.

"Unum" is supposed to be capitalized.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.18.26.15 (talk • contribs)

According to whom? In the original Latin, the entire thing would be capitalized (if you will), and on US coins, the whole phrase is indeed capitalized. I suppose you could go back to the original documents introducing it as a national motto, but capitalization has always been a fluid enterprise, especially when comparing the 18th and 21st centuries. Most importantly, AFAIK it is almost always rendered "E pubes Unum"in contemporary English usage. Anyone else have any thoughts on this matter? --Xyzzyva 11:05, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

I agree that "Unum" should be capitalized: In the translation as given, the word "One" is capitalized. 75.179.5.126 06:45, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Unum - accusative case

Unum is accusative case (object of verb or preposition). It is not nominative case (unus) & so it is not the subject of the sentence, It should come at the end of the English sentence rather than at the beginning--JimWae 21:24, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Well, guess I forgot about neuter case, but position & intent also would put at end --JimWae 21:39, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

     M.   F.   N.      
N.   ûnus ûna ûnum 
V.   ûne ûna ûnum 
Acc. ûnum ûnam ûnum 
G.   ûnius ûnius ûnius 
D.   ûnî ûnî ûnî 
Ab.  ûnô ûnâ ûnô


I've only heard it (in English) as "Out of many, one." Weird that translation isn't present here. Arthurian Legend 03:40, 11 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

"However, "E Pluribus Unum" is often poorly translated to mean "One out of many" or "One from many." However, the position of the pronoun unum points to the aforementioned meaning, which refers to the unity of the disparate states of the United States."

This seems highly POV to me (who decides what qualifies as a "poor translation"?), and, frankly, I don't see much of a difference in meaning between either of those and the "aforementioned meaning". Sectori 21:16, 9 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Moretum

I notice the article contains a link to Virgil's Moretum, which I understand is the first recorded use of the phrase, but this isn't mentioned in the text. I really don't know enough about the subject to add it myself, but I just thought I'd comment on it. Martin (talk) 22:26, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Offensive Rubbish

"The motto means "Out of Many, One," and probably refers to the unity of the early States. Colonel Reed of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, is said to have been instrumental in having it placed on Usonian coins."

The proper name for a citizen of the United States is "American," not "Usonian" the kind of foolish edit needs to be discouraged. Fixed. Travis T. Cleveland (talk) 23:54, 16 May 2008 (UTC)