What's new in version 1.75?Further improvements to grammar. - The maximum number of clauses (originally 25), and the maximum number of words (originally 200), in a sentence (including punctuation as a word) have both been doubled. This means that virtually all Latin sentences likely to be encountered will now be translated without complaint.
- Much improved handling of the AI Selection routines, so that lengthy clauses are now broken down into shorter sub-clauses for analysis.
- 'Consistency Code'. This code tries to ensure consistency, or continuity, across clauses in single sentences. For details, see Consistency Code (in the help file).
- Translations of further pages of the remaining 80 classical Latin texts of sufficient length supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute examined manually, and systematic grammatical/translation errors fixed.
- Further extensions to the electronic dictionary.
- Assorted minor bug fixes, including improvements to the registration system.
What's new in version 1.74?The emphasis has again been on improvements in grammar. Corrections to translations of the passive voice, dating back to the first release of Blitz Latin! For example, est amatus = 'he has been loved', not 'he is loved'. Many thanks to Ian Bruce for pointing out this rather basic error. Likewise, translation of the conjunction 'cum' now tests whether it is followed by an indicative or subjunctive verb. Again pointed up by Ian Bruce. Other users please note that I cannot fix errors if no one draws them to my attention! Translations of further pages of the remaining 85 classical Latin texts of sufficient length supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute examined manually, and systematic grammatical/translation errors fixed. Handling of certain pronouns (especially idem) improved, while Blitz Latin now recognises archaic perfect forms (eg amassi instead of amavi).
What's new in version 1.73?Version 1.73 is intended only for use with Microsoft Windows XP and Vista. For other Microsoft operating systems, please use Blitz Latin for 95/98/ME. In 1.73 the emphasis has again been on improvements in grammar. In particular, some of the new changes/fixes have caused unexpectedly a marked improvement in understanding complex Latin text. This version of Blitz Latin is a major release! Where single Latin nouns or adjectives can only be translated with two or more words in English, the several English words are now hyphenated. For example, the Latin noun 'magnatus', formerly translated as 'great man', will now be translated as 'great-man'. A few translations will have several hyphens. This change to the electronic dictionary greatly aids visual assignment of Latin words to their meanings in translated sentences. Translations of further pages of the remaining 90 classical Latin texts of sufficient length supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute have been examined manually, and systematic grammatical/translation errors fixed. More decisions are now being made by the Artificial Intelligence routines, and fewer by crude grammatical block deletions of alternative translations of individual words. Handling of punctuation improved further, and now very good. Basic handling of constructions which bridge prepositions, for example: nullo in loco. Handling of adjectives (or similar) linked to remote nouns improved to a standard similar to that for adjacent pairs.
Version 1.72
IMPORTANT - This version of Blitz Latin (1.72 WINXP) can be used ONLY with Microsoft Windows operating systems WIN XP and Vista. If you use Win98 and older, install Version 1.71a. This has the dictionary improvements but not the program improvements listed below. For users of previous versions of Blitz Latin the following provides a summary of new features: - The emphasis has again been on improvements in grammar.
- Translations of further pages of the remaining 95 classical Latin texts of sufficient length supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute examined manually, and systematic grammatical/translation errors fixed.
- Abbreviated proper names, eg 'Q. Numerius', are now handled automatically as proper names in the form of 'Q_Numerius'.
- Better handling of plerusque.
- Improvements to reviews of what the Artificial Intelligence has done.
- The small dialogue box (obtained by highlighting a single Latin word then pressing the Translate button) now has the capacity to accommodate 'cocta', the word with the most variants yet found.
- Other improvements to grammar. The user should again see an improvement in translation quality as a result of the above changes.
- The user can now set a 'usersettings.txt' file to ensure that Blitz Latin always loads with the desired menu options pre-set. See User Settings.
- The user can now also designate certain words as not to be translated, for example the vowels 'a' and 'e' when described as vowels. See Single Word Underscores.
Blitz latin 1.71Latin glossary. This is the most important change. It allows the user to find a Latin glossary of every single Latin word in a text simply by clicking on each Latin word with the mouse. This can be very useful for users with great experience in Latin. Improvements in grammar. - Translations of further pages of the remaining 108 classical Latin texts of sufficient length supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute have been examined manually, and systematic Blitz Latin grammatical/translation errors fixed.
- Improvements to code linking remote adjectives with their nouns/pronouns (several changes; some code completely rewritten).
- Improved handling of pronouns (several areas). Reflexive pronouns better handled (especially 'se').
- Elaboration of gerunds fixed (why didn't anyone tell me it has been defective for ages?) Thus 'eligendi' = 'of the selecting'. Previous simply 'selecting'.
- Best ordering code improved for verb layers.
Blitz Latin 1.68Improved Latin grammar.
Larger display box to show grammar alternatives for single words.
Now 'Vista compatible' (sic).
Blitz Latin 1.67The main characteristic of 1.67 over 1.66A is, once again, attention to improving grammar by comparison of output translations with those expected from various standard classical Latin texts.
Blitz Latin 1.66AIn 1.66 an error was caused under certain circumstances if the user clicked on a third person Latin verb. 1.66A fixed this problem.
Users can be confident that they are running 1.66A because:
a) They will see the name during installation of the program, on the main set-up screen.
b) The new version clearly states 1.66A in the dialogue box that opens when the user clicks on the menu item Help/About... in Blitz Latin.
Blitz Latin 1.66The big emphasis here has been on improvements in grammar. Copying and pasting text has always been possible but now it is also available as menu options or by right mouse click.
- Translations of further pages of all 362 classical Latin texts supplied by the Packard Humanities Institute examined manually, and systematic grammatical/translation errors fixed.
- Other improvements to grammar. The user should again see a significant improvement in translation quality as a result of the above changes.
- Cut-and-pasting text now available as menu options, or by right mouse-click on text window.
- Improvements in SVOE best-ordering.
- About 120 new Latin words added. It is now very hard to find new Latin words for the Latin dictionary, but some medieval words have been scraped out of Anglo-Saxon charters.
Blitz Latin 1.65Includes 1,500 new Latin words. The vocabulary of Blitz Latin is so comprehensive that it is now getting difficult for the author to find new words. Many important new grammar improvements. 'Easy Latin' mode for teachers and students. This works by eliminating rare translations when more common translations exist. All the less frequent Latin words are deleted during translation unless no common alternative exists.
Blitz Latin 1.64A further 2,000 Latin words from Vatican/Catholic/ecclesiastical sources, of all ages. Blitz Latin will now auto locate the dictionary. Several improvements to grammar.
Blitz Latin 1.63
Contains further extensions to the dictionary and the neural network engine, many more improvements to the grammar, and the ability for the user to add pre-translated short phrases. Generally a little faster still, and up to 50% faster when translating very long Latin texts (eg Justinian's Digest). Fewer words rejected simply on alleged grammatical grounds; the artificial intelligence prefers to inspect them first!
Blitz Latin 1.61- Medieval dictionary which adds over 4,000 words to Blitz Latin is now sent to all registered licence holders.
Blitz Latin 1.53Faster still with high-speed look-up tables! Average 15% improvement in trials over 20 million Latin words! A guiding principle to BlitzLatin enhancements is that speed should not be compromised by new features. More small changes to grammar understanding. Ability to trim the Latin dictionary to user's preferred area (classical, medieval or modern Latin). And yet more new words added to dictionary.
Blitz Latin 1.52Larger dictionary Many small changes to grammar understanding. This has made a noticeable improvement to translation quality. Automatic switching by program from area to area, for example from ecclesiastical to legal to scientific translation. Improved comprehension of medieval misspellings. New utility "LatinWords" which simplifies adding new words to the supplementary dictionary. New licence codes. This is free to existing licence holders. Please contact us if you have not received your new licence directly from us already.
Blitz Latin 1.51Improved dictionary and grammar 2,500+ modern Latin words added (It is estimated that more Latin has been written in the last 50 years than in the classical era!) Spell-checker Improved screen interface - Recognises phonetic medieval spelling (compensates for the all too common "spell it as it sounds" style of less well tutored medieval clerics).
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Software up to date?