Silent Witness

[cleedaub1]

Does anyone know the words of the Latin that features in the introductory and closing sequences of "Silent Witness" ? I have listened carefully but cannot make out any of it except the last word which I think is "silencium"

[horselady]

The theme tune is Silencium by John harle, try this link
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00000INV8/ 026-7020119-5370847?v=glance&n=229816

[Ducatibabe]

Hi Cleedaub1. Here are the words to the Silent Witness theme song... it is called Silencium by John Harle, it is from his Silencium Suite album.

Testator Silens
Costestes e Spiritu
Silencium

Angeli Silens
Costestes e Spiritu
Silencium

Roughly translated it means the following:

Silent Witness
Spiritual (something - can't figure out what Costestes means)
Silence or Stillness

Silent Angels
Spiritual (something - can't figure out what Costestes means)
Silence or Stillness

I have looked and looked and studied latin to figure out what Costestes means, but I'm not sure if the spelling is correct. Does anyone know?? I even tried to find the lyrics from the CD too, but there doesn't seem to be any.

Thank you :o)

[Ducatibabe]

Hi there Cleedaub1, the lyrics to Silent Witness are as follows, hoping I've got the latin right:

Testator silens
Cos te stes e spiritu
Silentium

Angli silens
Cos te stes e spiritu
Silentium

The translation goes something like this:

Silent Witness
Spirit Ends, Yourself Rest
Stillness

Silent Angels
Spirit Ends, Yourself Rest
Stillnes

My Latin is NOT great, but that is a rough meaning. Hope it helps.

[cathijay]

I don't know for sure, but I believe "costestes" may be a regional variant of "contestes" meaning to reply or respond. I saw a Spanish entry using "costestes el telefono" (answering the telephone), which also used the variant "savia" rather than "sabia"; therefore my supposition.

I would therefore suggest the lyrics might translate as:

"Silent Witness
You tell (us) in Spirit"

[LegalQuibbler]

Further to Ducatibabe's reply: It is likely that the second line reads:
Contestes e Spiritu, from the Latin Contestor (transitive verb) - this would give the meaning (approximately) "The silent are called by the spirit to witness". Costestes is not a latin word.

Alternatively, the root could be Contexere, "to interweave"... although this does not produce as coherent a translation in context.

[Luqmani]

The word that seems to throw everyone out is “costestes”, which is not actually a “Classical Latin” word, but is used in Ecclessiastical Latin - a subtle derivative of the Classical language that is historically used in Catholic Churches.

The best translation to English would be:
Silent Witness
The spirits that also bear testimony
(In) silence.

Silent Angel
The spirits that also bear testimony
(In) silence.


A break down:
Testator Silens
{One who bears witness in silence}
Silent Witness

Costestes e spiritu
{Co-witnesses (or those that bear witness alongside other witnesses) from (as in, formed of, or originating from) the spirit}
[Those that are made of the spirit bear witness alongside other witnesses]
The spirits that also bear witness

Silencium
{Silence}
(In) silence.

--
Angeli Silens
{Silent Angel (or Angel of Silence)}
Silent Angel

Costestes e spiritu
{Co-witnesses (or those that bear witness alongside other witnesses) from (as in, formed of, or originating from) the spirit}
[Those that are made of the spirit bear witness alongside other witnesses]
The spirits that also bear witness

Silencium
{Silence}
(In) silence.

Another possible variation of the line "Costestes e spiritu":
Those who also bear witness that are present (only) in spirit

[JaspersINak]

Use closed caption if available. It shows words

[Estel]

I consulted my resident latin expert and concluded the words "costestes e spiritual" could be inspired by Romans 8:16. So the first verse could be translated as:
Silent witness
Cowitness(es) with the (holy) spirit
In silence

This seems in keeping with a work called songs of the spirit.

In the second verse angeli might be better translated as messenger:
Silent messenger
Cowitness with the spirit
In silence

[hypostasis]

I think "costestis" should be "quod estis," which even then would not be quite correct grammatically, but would mean "Silent witness, you who are from the spirit of the silent ones." "Quod estis" should be "qui estis," but perhaps in vulgar latin (i.e., colloquial Latin of the post-classical era) "quod" could be acceptable.