Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Language/2013 March 23

= March 23 =

Korean to English translation
If I want to cite an article about a Korean television broadcasting company, where can I find valid English cites to refer to? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Jisoosoo (talk • contribs) 01:57, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * It is permissible to cite reputable Korean-language sources. Marco polo (talk) 01:59, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * If you cannot find English sources as good as the Korean sources then you should cite the Korean sources. Roger (talk) 11:54, 23 March 2013 (UTC)

Dogfights / Catfights regarding fighters and UAVs
If traditional combat between two manned fighters is a dogfight, would combat between two UAVs be a catfight? Or a puppyfight?

What new terminology does the military have for UAV combat against other UAVs? Also, have any UAVs fought against enemy UAVs yet? --70.179.161.230 (talk) 02:32, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * The era of classic fighter-vs.-fighter dogfighting as a major tool of war seems to have been over for thirty years or more; in most recent wars, one side has overwhelming control over airspace... AnonMoos (talk) 05:34, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * Most, if not all, are only equipped with air-to-surface missiles, and are not suitable in an air-to-air combat role.  KägeTorä - (影虎)  ( TALK )  09:54, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * This forum thread relates the unsourced story of a Predator UAV (armed with Stinger missiles), versus Mig-25 combat over Iraq - Predator lost. Alansplodge (talk) 10:21, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * It's mentioned in the Mig-25 article you just linked to, with one working reference.  KägeTorä - (影虎)  ( TALK )  00:11, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
 * See also History of unmanned combat air vehicles. Alansplodge (talk) 10:24, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * ... which calls it a dogfight at one point, as I would have expected. Clarityfiend (talk) 10:38, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * But all you have to do is persuade a lot of USAF boffins to say "catfight" instead of "dogfight" and it might catch on. English is a very democratic language, we don't have committees telling us what to call things, unlike some other languages. Alansplodge (talk) 17:33, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Somehow I think the USAF (about 80% male) would throw a hissy fit if cats were chosen over dogs. Clarityfiend (talk) 23:00, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * I didn't say it would be easy! Alansplodge (talk) 09:00, 24 March 2013 (UTC)


 * I've seen plenty of cats fighting each other, but never really dogs fighting each other (just plenty of barking), so I'm not sure I understand why "dogfight" was chosen in the first place... AnonMoos (talk) 16:53, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
 * I've always assumed that it was the chasing of each other's tails that was the key point, but whether dogs actually fight like that, I don't know. Alansplodge (talk) 20:23, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
 * You obviously don't hang out with Michael Vick. Clarityfiend (talk) 02:21, 25 March 2013 (UTC)

Etymology of Eau
I've asked a question at Talk:Bourne_Eau and would welcome the same sort of help I was offered for Stow.--Robert EA Harvey (talk) 12:36, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * See http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=eau and eau.
 * —Wavelength (talk) 22:57, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * I'd be hesitant to ascribe the two words the exact same etymology without further evidence, especially since British river names usually derive from Celtic, not French. μηδείς (talk) 02:11, 24 March 2013 (UTC)

French for "they're being extorted"
I'm trying to start French subtitles of Commons:File talk:Sextortionagent interview.ogg/French but I don't have a good handle for "they're being extorted" (they are victims of extortion) - Should it be "they are victims of extortion" or is there a French saying that means "they're being extorted"? WhisperToMe (talk) 19:41, 23 March 2013 (UTC)


 * "They're being extorted" actually doesn't sound quite right to me in English: normally you extort money, etc., from someone, you don't extort someone. Regardless, "ils sont victimes d'extorsion" should be fine. Lesgles (talk) 21:52, 24 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks! The original English from the cleaned-up FBI transcript is indeed "they're being extorted" WhisperToMe (talk) 04:51, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

Finnish pronunciation
How do you pronounce Lapua? I'm not very good at IPA nomenclature and it's not in our article on it either way. Shadowjams (talk) 21:05, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * It is pronounced as it is spelled, with three syllables: la-pu-a (not 'lapwa'), and the stress is on the first syllable. All the vowels are short. Hope this helps. In IPA, it would be /'lapua/  KägeTorä - (影虎)  ( TALK )  21:43, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks! Shadowjams (talk) 21:50, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added the pronunciation to the article for future reference. J I P  &#124; Talk 19:00, 25 March 2013 (UTC)

How do you spell (which means "timing" or something like that)?
77.126.170.89 (talk) 23:34, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Do you mean serendipity? Rojomoke (talk) 23:39, 23 March 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, thank you. I haven't recognized this word. I heard it 3 days ago by President Obama, but I was not sure what I was hearing, so I didn't know how I should find it on the dictionary, in order to get its exact meaning. Now I know! Thanks to your spelling, I could also find Obama's full statement - in the web. 77.126.170.89 (talk) 08:02, 24 March 2013 (UTC)