De bono

English translation: [See below]

06:30 Dec 3, 2000

Latin to English translations [Non-PRO]
Bus/Financial

Latin term or phrase: De bono

We have a phrase in Latin that appears in a business letter, "de bono" and does not appear to be a mistype of "pro bono" or at no charge.

The phrase in the letter is: "We have provided services not as volunteers, but de bono."

Can anyone help to clarify the possible meanings of this term in this context?

Thank you very much!

Harold

H.Vadney

English translation:[See below]

Explanation:
Two suggestions:

1) The business letter was written by someone who does not understand the technical sense of PRO BONO in English, and who therefore miswrote the phrase. PRO BONO of course means professional services rendered without expectation or receipt of payment. This is the likeliest explanation in my opinion.

2) The phrase DE BONO might be a stretched interpretation of "from goodness", akin to the frequent English phrase "out of the goodness of our hearts." However, such a translation directly contradicts the context of the letter, where the author denies any goodhearted volunteerism in the firm's activities.

Further context might be useful. One short sentence often does not suffice.

Selected response from:

Wigtil (X)

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Summary of answers provided

[See below]

Wigtil (X)

Answers

2 days 1 hr

[See below]

Wigtil (X)
PRO pts in pair: 67

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