User talk:Andrew Dalby

Welcome!!

For earlier discussions on this page see User talk:Andrew Dalby/Archive 2006 to 2008; User talk:Andrew Dalby/Archive 2009 to 2010.

Thanks

for participating in discussion about relevance of Harry Hodgkinson's “Scanderbeg: From Ottoman Captive to Albanian Hero”, in Skanderbeg article. I admire your approach and would be honoured if I can be of any help in your activities on wikipedia (of course, whatever your opinion about relevance of this work will be).--Antidiskriminator (talk) 23:41, 1 December 2010 (UTC)

Thank you

For pointing out the error of Lady Abergavenny on Eva Marshal. Another editor explained that de Braose only held the lordship in tenancy, not the title. I have therefore removed Lady Abergavenny from her article. Thanks again for noticing and drawing my attention to it.--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 09:12, 15 December 2010 (UTC)

WikiProject Dacia

Hi! From your edits, it looks like you might be interested in ancient Dacia. Would you like to join the WikiProject Dacia? It is a project aimed to better organize and improve the quality and accuracy of the articles related to these topics. We need help expanding and reviewing many articles, and we also need more images. Your input is welcomed! Thanks and best regards!

--Codrin.B (talk) 09:52, 31 December 2010 (UTC)

Underpopulated categories

I found the following categories in Category:Underpopulated categories, and you might be able and willing to populate them.

• Category:Farming tools
• Category:Farms in Australia
• Category:Farms in Oregon
• Category:Food websites
• Category:Languages by occupation
• Category:Languages of the African diaspora
• Category:Latin medical phrases
• Category:Spanish grammar

(This talk page is on my watchlist, and I will watch here for a reply or replies.)
—Wavelength (talk) 20:33, 17 January 2011 (UTC) [I am correcting the heading.—Wavelength (talk) 20:34, 17 January 2011 (UTC)]

Linguist

Link to GLAM page

Hello Andrew, I think I'm looking for a wiki linguist. As I hope you may have heard, Derby Museums are planning to do a similar thing to the British Museum did with GLAM WIKI. They will have a backstage pass, but they plan not to offer a page for an FA written in Latin:) The proposal for the special challenge is to try and create a challenge that creates multi-lingual articles in (say Polish, Urdu and Tamil)... ok OK Latin too! I can speak English, Fortran, VBA and Javascript. I'm looking for someone who is a wiki linguist who might be interested in "being bold" in this area. What do you think? Can you advise, could you help? could you lead? I'm being bold, fancy the challenge? Victuallers (talk) 21:18, 20 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm certainly interested (never mind about Latin!) I'm strongly in favour of encouraging multilingual approaches. Many, many editors of English wikipedia are able to edit in other languages too, and a challenge that encouraged them to do this would be great for the museum, great for the other languages and great for outreach.

Are we limited to the museum collections (excellent, no doubt, but not as wide-ranging as the BM) or could it be also about Derby? Andrew Dalby 23:40, 20 January 2011 (UTC)

I'm thrilled. I'm obviously keen to gather help, (if you build it - they will come) but I particularly need your skills. The backstage tour is well within my area of expertise, but the idea for the challenge day (in mid May?) is based on the arguments you expound above and not on my own skillbase. Wikipedia is multi-lingual and Britain is too. I have an enthusiastic museum employeee who has found interest from local translators who have links too. I was hoping to use these links and the multiple projects on the English wikipedia that host the different language and culture based projects. As for spreading the focus away from the museum then my only worry is losing the focus. Derbyshire has 1500 articles or so and could represent too large a domain to influence quickly. Some of the articles created so far are not actually about a Derby museum artefact but they have some link (ie a type of mineral, a nearby bridge, a local naturalist) to the museum. One wider area is Derbyshire Museums and Galleries (there are about thirty of them). Do feel empowered to "be bold". do you live within travelling distance? Victuallers (talk) 10:24, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Last question first: no I don't. I live in France. I gather excuses to come to England now and then, so probably I could get there on a day in May if that's a good idea.

"Some link to the museum" ought to work fine: it would be visible in one or more actual links to the museum page or website, which should satisfy the Museum. Competitors have to be strongly advised (as with the BM thing) to tell us their topics in advance, and the potential link with the museum would be clarified at that stage.

OK, I'm thinking. First off, the creating of a challenge. It could be for creating or improving relevant articles in two languages to a certain standard.

The BM challenge was great, and it was a splendid idea to open it to all languages, but Wittylama was evidently taken aback to get an entrant in Latin and two in Catalan out of his total of five. This happened because, obviously, we Latinists and the Catalanists both wanted to promote our minority wikis, and saw this as a good way to do so; and also because smaller languages are less bureaucratic about their FA process than English is. I always wanted to work on two languages for the BM thing -- I knew it wasn't fair to push Latin on its own -- and in fact I did finally improve the English article to FA standard too, but I could never have got an English FA in the necessary timescale. I am full of admiration for Johnbod who actually achieved this.

I say two languages because many people (including many people in Derby!) could easily do this on their own; anyway I think that permitting collaboration is a good idea, and there's no reason why two shouldn't collaborate on a topic, one writing in each language. So anyone could enter, finding a collaborator if necessary. But also, requiring "two languages" tends in practice to bring the focus back to major languages: it would be a very unusual Wikipedian who would submit an entry in two small minority languages.

Is the Museum going to offer prizes? Do we know that yet?

Second question: creating or improving? My suggestion is this: it must be shown that major work has been done in both languages. A possible rule is that the articles to be submitted must be either newly created, or improved from stubs. Articles already beyond the stub stage can't qualify: you choose another topic (or add another language). What do you think?

Third question: to what standard? A real problem is that standards differ so much across the Wikipedias; but, on the other hand, the Wikipedias have people who can judge articles in all relevant languages, and no one else does ... unless those local translators could help here.

Enough for a start. Feel free to email me if we need to get into more detail. Andrew Dalby 14:04, 23 January 2011 (UTC)

Sorry for time to reply. I agree "an association with the museum" is fine for an article. In fact if you are going to do an article on an obscure artefact in say Tamil then having the article on larger aspects like the museum itself etc might be thought as useful. I actually want to encourage the local and wiki linguists who know a non English language either by perspiration or heritage. Someone like yourself has the background to understand the multi language wikis and thats what I need. We have got a small fund for a prize, but we may be able to persuade some bodies to put up some additional monies. I'm guessing that the 100 pound book voucher was not your motive. Its the kudos and as you say making sure "your" language is seen to be competing. Are you any good at promoting events and making sure there is interest? Deciding where and when to leave invitations on the French wikiproject? Who can do it? Should it be in French on the "England" or "Museums" project of the French wikipedia? I can only guess .... I think your guess might be slightly better informed..... (I will keep asking until you say "no" :-) ) My email is at gmail and is victuallers. Do feel free to use it, but I'm trying to have few secrets and I'm guessing other readers of this conversation may be intrigued by whats being discussed and contact one of us ..... Cheers Roger aka Victuallers (talk) 11:32, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

Sorry, I took a while to reply as well.

No, I am not usually a promoter of events, I must admit ... The best way to advertise may well vary from language to language (bad luck). There is a Wikipedia:Community portal for most if not all Wikipedias; in some cases no one ever looks at it. There is also a Wikipedia:Village pump for most if not all Wikipedias; that seems to be sometimes very busy. Obviously we can't translate into every language but I don't think that will matter: we should post a short announcement in English on one or both of those pages in each language -- simultaneously, so far as we can manage it -- with a request for someone local to translate it and re-post it wherever it will be seen. Obviously the message should include a link to a page here which will give full details, and to our talk pages. (There may occasionally be a relevant project page -- you mention the French Museums project -- but most often, I suspect, there won't be!) I can certainly deal with the other-language wikis in this way. But just as important will be publicity to English speakers, because I think a lot of the people we want to reach will use English some of the time (and often already work on en:wiki). In some cases, we'll be persuading them to work on an other-language wiki which they haven't done before. So publicity on en:wiki and publicity in Derby in the real world will be crucial too. How do you feel about that?

True, the prize was not the motive! Still, offering some kind of prize does focus minds. We don't want top speed at all costs -- quality is the thing -- so I would say that a fair number of small prizes is better than a few bigger ones. In that case, people won't feel pressured to get finished first. Our "sponsor" no doubt would like to see as many good pages as possible by the final date in May; so we don't want people to lose interest because all of the few prizes have been claimed. Andrew Dalby 14:13, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

Congratulations you passed the interview ( :-) ). I'm going to agree a date in May to host the challenge. It needs to be a Saturday ... are there any you cannot do or that would fit in with your plans? I'm going to tell Derby Museum that I have identified "the lead" for the challenge event. Please complain now as I'm hoping you will be bold and get things underway - there will be others who will help. Sound OK? I'm hoping we an use Skype etc if we need you at a planning meeting? Victuallers (talk) 11:07, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

Hmm, some time when we're reminiscing over this in later years you'll have to tell me how many competitors I had! I was waiting till I knew the answer to the date question. It is this: I am unavailable for several days from 23 May onwards, so, better before. Yes, I can be skyped but it is best to fix a time in advance as Skype is on my wife's laptop, which isn't always on. If you email me you can tell me your Skype name; I'll tell you ours in reply, if we can remember it between us. I think we need to decide how many prizes there will be, and what exactly, and how they will be delivered (I'm thinking that sending small amounts of money worldwide may not be cost-effective). Once we know this and a couple of other details, we could work on publicity. Andrew Dalby 14:42, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

My timetable is filling up: I've just been invited to a conference in Greece. That's from the 7th May for a week. So (as far as I'm concerned) available dates are limited to, roughly, 1-5, 15-22 and 30-31 May. Andrew Dalby 13:51, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Andrew, do poke my page ... I just spotted your addition. As it was I was going to talk. I met the museum yesterday and they are going ahead with April 9th but they are tearing apart the museum decorations and some major exhibits may be missing in May. they will be back in June/July so we intend to run the challenge day then. I have more to tell you, but I wonder if you might assist me. Could you create stubs for the Derby Museum page in a number of languages. There is no rush but it would indicate where our intersts were headed to an observer. Oh and Can add your name to the contributors list too ... must go but will tell you more when I get a chance. Roger aka Victuallers (talk) 17:25, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

No problem, I would have tried emailing you if necessary but I suspected you'd check in after a meeting. Excellent idea, I was thinking of having a go at what you suggest, I will now try it. Also Derby and Derbyshire where those pages are lacking, maybe. Andrew Dalby 18:19, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Hi Andrew - Ive never mapped my internal view of the museum with the view from outside.... but I'll try. The picture you see on the main en:page is the old museum/library. That entrance is to the library. To the left is is an extention in roughly the same style and further to the left is the 1960s type building that is pictured futher down the en wiki aricle. That modern building has the entrance to the museum at its far end.

When you enter the museum it has three floors (including ground level). On the ground floor is porecelain. Next floor up is archaelogy, geology, natural science, the mummy, the log-boat and the Joseph Wright collection. The third floor normally contains more art and the Bonnie Prince Charlie Room..... but they have found asbestos. At the moment the top (3rd) floor is closed.

Where the museum ends and the library strarts is unclear. You cannot get from one to the other but at one point you can see over a balcony into the library.

Around the back is the entrance to "The Art Gallery" but its architecture only. That entrance goes nowhere. I hope that helps.... its a bit tricky as they are plasying musical chairs at the moment due to the building work. Impressed by your stubbing already. The AEnglish seems somehow appropriate. Cheers Victuallers (talk) 14:48, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

Just getting into practice ... Andrew Dalby 14:58, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

I'll put a request in with the museum. All the ones Ive found are copyright and at the moment you cannot get a new picture. Do you want to add a request here? Victuallers (talk) 16:52, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

When we have a GLAM barnstar then you get it ..... just for the Hindi article! I cannot explain why you needed to create a Derby page in Hindi - surely it should be there already? Victuallers (talk) 18:44, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Бубастис

Здравствуйте. У меня к Вам вопрос, как к лингвисту, если будет возможность, ответьте: древнегреческое название города Бубастис (Ancient Greek: Βούβαστις, Βούβαστος) восходит к грецизированной форме — Бу-Бастет («Место Бастет»), от египетского названия Пер-Бастет («Дом или дворец Бастет»), хочу уточнить - «Бу» на древнегреческом означает «место»?--АААЙошкар-Ола (talk) 04:15, 7 February 2011 (UTC)

RSN

Sorry if I offended you. I wasn't trying to be smart or anything. It's just that your explanation seemed a little too nebulous/abstract and I wanted more detail in what sort of methodology you use in determining reliability. Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated. :) A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 18:24, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Of course, don't worry, no problem at all. It's that board: I think I'll leave it alone now :) Andrew Dalby 18:29, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

OK, I just wanted to make sure there are no hard feelings. BTW, if you think that thread was bad, check out the Star Wars and Joe Baugher threads! A Quest For Knowledge (talk) 18:41, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Gyros

Hello, there is a merge discussion going on at Talk:Gyros. Your sage input would be very welcome there. There are strong feelings on all sides and your perspective would be helpful.

PS Aglaia Kremezi pointed me to Sasha Grigorieva's Gasterea wiki, which looks like an interesting initiative, but also appears to be stalled at its first article. Do you know anything about it? --Macrakis (talk) 15:37, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

I am sometimes in touch with Sasha but I hadn't looked at her site before. Looks as though ti was one of those things that took all the enthusiasm to start it, leaving none to continue it. If I hear more I'll tell you ...

The current on-line OED gives gyro (as the singular) defined as "(U.S.) A sandwich made with pitta bread and containing slices of cooked spiced meat (usu. lamb or beef), tomatoes, onions, etc. Cf. doner kebab". For doner kebab, it has " A Turkish dish which consists of slices of lamb or mutton, layered with herbs and spices on a vertical spit and roasted as it revolves against a tall narrow grill. As the surface is cooked the meat is sliced thinly downwards and served, often with pita." For shawarma, it says "In the cuisine of certain Arabic-speaking countries: meat cooked on a spit and served in thin slices, often rolled in pita bread and sold as a street snack; a doner kebab." Interestingly, it doesn't mention the (horrible) US variant using minced rather than sliced meat, which I think is usually sold as (ersatz, in my opinion) γύρος/ντόνερ.

Thanks very much for that, I will now consider a response. Still not easy ...

By the way, I see you have come out with a book on Venizelos -- then you may have come across my mother's Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος 1864-1910. Η διάπλαση ενός εθνικού ηγέτη about his early period. --Macrakis (talk) 17:21, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Oh, yes, very definitely. I had noticed that your surname was the same! Yes, hers is the most reliable work on that early period and I cited it often in my first chapter. My main focus was on 1919, his activities at the Peace Conference. I don't usually get commissioned to write modern history and I enjoyed this work a lot.

Your mother might be asked to do a review of my book. If that doesn't happen, and she would like a copy, I would be happy to send one. Andrew Dalby 18:30, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

DYK for Richard Knill Freeman

—HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 10:43, 9 March 2011 (UTC)

Hello! Your submission of Samuel Rayner at the Did You Know nominations page has been reviewed, and there still are some issues that may need to be clarified. Please review the comment(s) underneath your nomination's entry and respond there as soon as possible. I've reviewed the article, and while the length is ok and hook is interesting - the hook is not referenced in the article. Perhaps it is in one of the 3 references given, but they are not on-line so harder to check. In-line cite would be good. Tzu Zha Men (talk) 18:19, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

Ive replied, but please add a bit if you like Victuallers (talk) 19:47, 16 March 2011 (UTC)

DYK for Romeo and Juliet: the tomb scene

—HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 16:02, 19 March 2011 (UTC)

DYK for Samuel Rayner

NW (Talk) 08:02, 22 March 2011 (UTC)

DYK for Indian Widow (Joseph Wright painting)

—HJ Mitchell | Penny for your thoughts? 16:03, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Gibraltar

If you would like further reading material I can point to you some texts that are free downloads. Regards. Wee Curry Monster talk 14:15, 4 April 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate that you tried. Regards. Wee Curry Monster talk 16:47, 6 April 2011 (UTC)

Well now you're no longer active, Richard has pretty much decided to ignore your suggested process. If you ever have an interest the offer of free resources is always there. Regards. Wee Curry Monster talk 09:42, 7 April 2011 (UTC)

I tried following your idea at user:Wee Curry Monster/Gibraltar Sandpit, I put the final results into the article. I would appreciate your thoughts, in private if you feel you don't wish to become embroiled in the mess on the talk page. Regards, Wee Curry Monster talk 23:37, 7 April 2011 (UTC)

3

Forget challenge 3.... I was only thinking that if the Albanian WP wanted to compete with the Welsh WP then they could have a barnstar for 100 points, but maybe too complex and we need to simplify if anything. Thanks for your help - Sorry if I seem to go but looking at other aspects too. Victuallers (talk) 12:48, 5 April 2011 (UTC)

Rushing around Andrew but very pleased with stuff so far. Continue being bold. Put some comments as edit summaries on pages. Do you twitter? See #GlamDerby Got to rush ... Roger Victuallers (talk) 08:05, 7 April 2011 (UTC)

Intermediate thx for work so far

Andrew, thank you so much for your steadfast support for this event. Do look me up when you return to the U.K. I owe you a beer or two. The links are to allow (http & //ow.ly/4w7Ey) to work. I expect we will need a cleverer solution, but I'm not sure what to do to make it correct. If English and Korean both have a Joseph Wright page then fine.... each painting in a Museum would be linked to Joseph Wright in every language available .... but if we create an article for a painting then where do the links go?

We worked this technology out as a result of the Derby work. Its not finished yet but I think its so cool. And per chance it aligns exactly with what you, me and Jimmy Wales are trying to do. Victuallers (talk) 16:00, 8 April 2011 (UTC)

I knew there'd be a good reason! Andrew Dalby 17:14, 8 April 2011 (UTC)

Thanks

Just a note to say thanks for your efforts at Talk:Gibraltar. I've been reading the RFC and it looks like a huge mess. I'm glad that you've been able to provide some positive, sensible advice. Thanks for putting your time and energy into it. I hope that the dispute gets resolved. WhatamIdoing (talk) 19:13, 9 April 2011 (UTC)

Bertha Schwarz

I noticed your article about la:Bertha Schwarz on Vicipædia. I wonder if you would mind creating it here on the English Wikipedia as well? You'll find a ready-made reference to her ÖBL entry at Frühlingsstimmen. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 05:15, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

OK, I'll start it later today. I couldn't for the life of me recall why I created that page: then I remembered I was working on the names of asteroids, and specifically 218 Bianca, which was named after her. Andrew Dalby 17:42, 24 April 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for Bertha Schwarz – much appreciated. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 04:39, 25 April 2011 (UTC)

Traduction par nôtre.

Hello,

Here's your translation requested from us, francophones. You just put us in turmoil, the French certainly will participate.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again.

--Morphypnos (talk) 15:02, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

It isn't me. --Morphypnos (talk) 07:15, 3 May 2011 (UTC)

Amazing

Well done - please choose your company car Victuallers (talk) 21:30, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

One of these days I'll take you seriously. Then you'll be sorry Andrew Dalby 07:06, 3 May 2011 (UTC)

I said choose it! Not buy it Victuallers (talk) 15:56, 9 May 2011 (UTC)

Multilingual Challenge

Due to your challenge on Norwegian Wikipedia, and to please you, I gave it go and translated the article Derby Industrial Museum to Norwegian. Second half of the English article was not formated for Wikipedia, and with one name, Torrington, I made a guess that it could be George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington, hopefully not totally wrong. --Finn Bjørklid (talk) 23:27, 2 May 2011 (UTC)

Hi, I'm pasindu. I can help you with the translation on This message. Please wait...Pasindu Kavinda  ^Talk 11:06, 3 May 2011 (UTC)

Done Go! Pasindu Kavinda  ^Talk 11:34, 3 May 2011 (UTC)

First Barnstar?

I hope so, Sanko (talk) 00:56, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

OK, footnote corrected. Right now completing all translation what I've done after the stub, and next more article translation too ... Sanko (talk) 12:00, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Multilingual Challenge

Translation of message done at Tagalog Wikipedia as requested. You can see it here.-AnakngAraw (talk) 01:09, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Away till 19 May

I'm away from Wikipedia from now until 19 May. Victuallers would be the best person to answer any questions about the Multilingual Challenge between now and then ... Andrew Dalby 18:17, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Talkback

Hello, Andrew Dalby. You have new messages at Rock drum's talk page.
You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.

Regards, Rock drum _Ba-dum^Crash 18:20, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Hello, Andrew Dalby. You have new messages at ClemRutter's talk page.
You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.

--ClemRutter (talk) 21:32, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

Your help will be valuable

Good evening dear friend. As I have understood you can read and contribute in Greek language. I'm developing the article about Derby el:Ντέρμπι you have started. When it will be finished (after two or three days, most possibly), I would appreciate if you could take a look at it and make any possible corrections or suggestions. Thank you in advance! --Ttzavaras (talk) 20:48, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

• I'm afraid Andrew is away, but I'm sure he will check this (and six others???) when he returns. Maybe the Greeks can catch the Indonesians, Catalans and Russians. Best regards Victuallers (talk) 21:51, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for editing my version on Derby el:Ντέρμπι! --Ttzavaras (talk) 19:51, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Then, just for exercising and, of course, if you wish, take a look on a new article about Midland Railways I'm preparing (you 're responsible for this, creating the respective link in the Derby article)... I' ll let you know as soon as it is ready. Thanks for everything! --Ttzavaras (talk) 20:37, 30 May 2011 (UTC)

Multilingual Challenge: Esperanto-team in project

Hi Andrew! I have already applied for the Challenge as an individual participant but I guess if we could form a team with other people speaking esperanto? At least another user is ready to form a team with me. Thanks. --89.224.174.28 (talk) 05:53, 9 May 2011 (UTC) (User talk: Dominik)

This is a great idea. The Catalan editors seem to be working together as they work through the available articles. You can apply for the prize as pairs of editors eventually. 15:51, 9 May 2011 (UTC)

Merge discussion for Winterbourne, Gloucestershire

An article that you have been involved in editing, Winterbourne, Gloucestershire , has been proposed for a merge with another article. If you are interested in the merge discussion, please participate by going here, and adding your comments on the discussion page. Thank you. Skinsmoke (talk) 10:18, 1 June 2011 (UTC)

Re: Derby Challenge score

Sure I will, tomorrow I'll try to spread the word. And be aware of us - give us a couple of weeks to finish college exams and we will finish all articles ;)--Arnaugir (talk) 00:10, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

• sorry, i broke riht arm and am not efficient enough to take part any longer Bianchi-Bihan (talk) 00:24, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Like Arnaugir said, we'll resume our activity after college exams. Meanwhile, I'll do my best to spread the word. I've already talked about this once with my fellow WM-ES board members. Cheers, --Góngora (Talk) 00:28, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Sure I will spread the word in local Indonesian languages and neighbour country. Thank you for the next new barnstar. Sanko (talk) 00:57, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Thank you for the barnstar. I'll keep workin'. Greetings --Arnaugir (talk) 12:37, 8 June 2011 (UTC)

Well that was a good idea!

This seems to be working well Andrew. I was going to geotag the French parts of the world with our new "Rules" page in French, but I think I will need you or another fluent French speaker to checker what I'm doing. As I understand it we can run an ad in French that only hits wikipedian editors in France, Belguim. Montreal, Quebec and other French speaking areas. I'm guessing North Africa too? Oh and you seem to have deleted half of the stuff on Derby Exhibition (1839) ... I presume this was a mistake? Victuallers (talk) 12:35, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Wow, thanks for noticing. Pure stupidity. I think I have corrected this now -- please verify.

Yes, tell me what to check and I'll check it. Or Fanfwah could perhaps. But yes, no problem.

Most of Africa in fact, also Madagascar. Andrew Dalby 12:44, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

Re:Multilingual Challenge

Thanks for the encouraging words, Andrew! I have some knowledge of Galician, Catalan and Spanish (apart from my native Portuguese, and English, of course), but I think that in these languages​​ the challenge has been released. However, there is no collaborations in Galician, and I think that I could get the message there, and maybe do one or two translations as an incentive. I intend to continue working with the project (mainly writing in English) and perhaps as early as this week-end we'll have news on that. Let's keep in touch! - Al Lemos (talk) 14:55, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

The Challenge goes on at Galipedia :) - Al Lemos (talk) 01:44, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Wonderful. I can read Portuguese, so now I shall practise reading Galician ... I ought to be able to manage it ... Let's see ... Andrew Dalby 06:55, 5 June 2011 (UTC)

Derventio

I have invited User talk:PamD to give some advice about article naming. --ClemRutter (talk) 20:50, 4 June 2011 (UTC)

An appeal for help with inter-language project work

Hi, I understand you were instrumental in communicating with other-language Wikipedias for the GLAM/Derby Wright challenge. I have a similar need, to request translations of articles improved as part of GLAM/ARKive, for which I am the Wikipedia Outreach Ambassador. Can you help, please? You might like to know there's a Bristol connection ;-) Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 15:14, 22 July 2011 (UTC)

How's it going? Andy Mabbett (User:Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 16:16, 1 August 2011 (UTC)

Nudge ;-) Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Andy's talk; Andy's edits 22:09, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

Hello, Andrew Dalby. You have new messages at Pigsonthewing's talk page.
You can remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.

The existing project!

Hmmm - I see you have a fan Andrew. The prize giving for work you set up is on 3rd September UK time at 10 a.m. It should be live on the net however I would love to find the money to bring you to Derby to see the changes we have made. If you want to come then I feel sure we can find travelling expenses. Victuallers (talk) 15:08, 17 August 2011 (UTC)

@Andy - there are several polyglots working on the Wright Challenge...

Thx 4 reply Andrew. re The Linguist - good news - give a mention for QRpedia and Derby Museums. I have this fantasy that the UK Catalan/ Esperanto/ Russian Society decide to have their monthly day out to Derby so that they can read a museum in their favourite language .... do quote me! If you get some minites to spare then do have an edit here and there and the prroject page to remind the contestants that you are still around. Hope to meet you again. Eitherway tweets will be @glamderby and the link will be on the project page for the video.Victuallers (talk) 14:25, 19 August 2011 (UTC)

brill

That's a timely offer. I'm busy at present with a board meeting this weekend, interviews for the new UK CEO and preparing for the award ceremony live on the net at 10 from the Wright room on Saturday. Jobs I can think of are

• Take a copy of the list of articles - sort people into points order and then using sampling check that we are probably giving the prizes to the right five. I suggest we are not interested if someone has a score of say 300 and the closest person is 250 and they have a couple of questionable claims then who cares? We just need to check that our contestants claims are reasonable. If we get two that we can't decide between (without nit picking) then we can make them joint 3rd place (or whatever). Any tweaking and little thank yous on comments would be good but requires a polyglot.
• Get QRpedia on the front page of French, Russian, English ..... wikipedias (as a stunt)
• Write a thank you template that we can distribute to all involved
• ... and the 3 things you need to work out :-)

I will be around on Monday, your "cunning plan" worked very well !! Victuallers (talk) 14:40, 28 August 2011 (UTC)

OK, I'm at work on the sampling. Yes, I'll do the thanks template. I don't quite get it about the front pages, not sure how I can do that (don't want to vandalise!) Andrew Dalby 15:34, 28 August 2011 (UTC)

Live Webcast info in our Warung Kopi (Bahasa Indonesia)

I put your information here Wikipedia:Warung Kopi (Lain-lain) or just like Wikipedia:Village pump in English version. Sanko (talk) 13:50, 1 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks, Sanko, and my personal congratulations for your hard work. Surely you are our most distant contributor! Andrew Dalby 14:03, 1 September 2011 (UTC)

The channel still off air right now. Sanko (talk) 10:02, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

It was online at 10:00am by the London time. Lvova Anastasiya (talk) 10:11, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Oops! I miss the time, I think London time same as UTC. Hopefully any YouTube record. Sanko (talk) 11:01, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

I'm very sorry, Sanko, seems you missed it because of the time confusion. Surely it's on YouTube? Meanwhile I can tell you it happened! Roger Bamkin (Victuallers) spoke about the success of the challenge, you were listed among the prizewinners and your picture was shown, Indonesia (possibly even East Kalimantan!) was pointed out on the map, and the Mayor of Derby, with his mayoral pen, signed copies of the books which will be sent to all prizewinners :) Andrew Dalby 11:46, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Thank you so much. Sanko (talk) 12:26, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

A bowl of strawberries for you!

Have a nice day and thank you again :) Lvova Anastasiya (talk) 09:39, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Re: From Derby

Thank you and victuallers for organizing this, it's been a pleasure. Take care --Arnaugir (talk) 11:50, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Thanks! I've enjoyed the challenge. You've done a wonderful job organizing this event. Cheers, --Góngora (Talk) 22:23, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Formal mediation has been requested

The Mediation Committee has received a request for formal mediation of the dispute relating to "Falafel". As an editor concerned in this dispute, you are invited to participate in the mediation. Mediation is a voluntary process which resolves a dispute over article content by facilitation, consensus-building, and compromise among the involved editors. After reviewing the request page, the formal mediation policy, and the guide to formal mediation, please indicate in the "party agreement" section whether you agree to participate. Because requests must be responded to by the Mediation Committee within seven days, please respond to the request by November 28, 2011.

Discussion relating to the mediation request is welcome at the case talk page. Thank you.
Message delivered by MediationBot (talk) on behalf of the Mediation Committee. 11:15, 20 September 2011 (UTC)

Linguist

Do send a copy if your bit on the challenge gets published in the Linguist Andrew Victuallers (talk) 11:51, 24 September 2011 (UTC)

Request for mediation rejected

The request for formal mediation concerning Falafel, to which you were listed as a party, has been declined. To read an explanation by the Mediation Committee for the rejection of this request, see the mediation request page, which will be deleted by an administrator after a reasonable time. Please direct questions relating to this request to the Chairman of the Committee, or to the mailing list. For more information on forms of dispute resolution, other than formal mediation, that are available, see Wikipedia:Dispute resolution.

For the Mediation Committee, AGK [•] 21:54, 25 September 2011 (UTC)
(Delivered by MediationBot, on behalf of the Mediation Committee.)

Aleppo soap

Thanks for your contributions to the falafel discussion. Your good sense would be welcome on the Aleppo soap article. In my opinion, many recent edits by the SPA User:Pdacortex have been puffery and otherwise not encyclopedic, and I have trimmed them quite heavily. He reverts. Can you help? Thanks, --Macrakis (talk) 19:16, 29 September 2011 (UTC)

Project to encourage cooperation between The National Archives and Wikipedia

Hi! As someone who's edited the page The National Archives (United Kingdom), I thought you might be interested - if you haven't seen it already - in a recently started GLAM project to encourage cooperation between The National Archives and Wikipedia. Ideas & participation welcome! Dsp13 (talk) 20:18, 13 October 2011 (UTC)

Despotate of Sinope

Please can create this article from this.--Kardam (talk) 14:14, 21 October 2011 (UTC)

Survey for new page patrollers

New page patrol – Survey Invitation Hello Andrew Dalby! The WMF is currently developing new tools to make new page patrolling much easier. Whether you have patrolled many pages or only a few, we now need to know about your experience. The survey takes only 6 minutes, and the information you provide will not be shared with third parties other than to assist us in analyzing the results of the survey; the WMF will not use the information to identify you. If this invitation also appears on other accounts you may have, please complete the survey once only. If this has been sent to you in error and you have never patrolled new pages, please ignore it. Please click HERE to take part. Many thanks in advance for providing this essential feedback. You are receiving this invitation because you have patrolled new pages. For more information, please see NPP Survey

Delivered by MessageDeliveryBot on behalf of Wiki Media Foundation at 11:04, 25 October 2011 (UTC).

Anthropological Survey of India

Your comment on the matter has been moved back to WP:RSN from the archives. Thanks for commenting. Zuggernaut (talk) 02:30, 1 November 2011 (UTC)

Otium

This is my latest article. Feel free to make any improvements. --Doug Coldwell ^talk 19:18, 1 November 2011 (UTC)

Expanded article. Any ideas for a DYK hook?--Doug Coldwell ^talk 11:22, 4 November 2011 (UTC)

I've made it more concise. Does it need more "fine tuning"? Good Article possibility?--Doug Coldwell ^talk 16:38, 6 November 2011 (UTC)

How do I go about getting Otium reassessed to possible B-Class and getting a higher assessment of "importance"?--Doug Coldwell ^talk 15:14, 9 November 2011 (UTC)

Sorry, Doug. I don't have the slightest understanding of these classifications and assessments or the least involvement with them. Same with DYK. I was warned off these areas years ago and never touch them. Good luck. Andrew Dalby 15:55, 9 November 2011 (UTC)

Falafel etymology

I don't think most of our fellow-editors will realize that you're pulling their legs on Talk:Falafel re pha-la-phel. --Macrakis (talk) 12:29, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

reliable source notice board

Just explained what you asked for (Goethe). Thank you for your consideration.--69.232.73.16 (talk) 13:29, 13 November 2011 (UTC)

Appreciated

I appreciated you taking the time to comment. The remark about the "stick" was well observed. Thanks -- Zac Δ ^talk! 14:52, 6 December 2011 (UTC)

Just letting you know I raised that plagiarism issue for discussion. -- Zac Δ ^talk! 19:02, 7 December 2011 (UTC)

Eudokia Komnene

I'm fed up with your righteous attitude! You don't need "sources", just common sense not to merge Eudokia, daughter of protosebastos & protovestiarios Alexios Komnenos, and wife of William VIII of Montpellier, with her aunt, Eudokia, daughter of sebastokrator Isaak Komnenos, and wife of Odone Frangipani and Paganello di Porcaria. http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/BYZANTIUM%2010571204.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/realm/gotha/gotha/byz1.html

http://www.friesian.com/history/rome-15m.gif

Steliokardam (talk) 16:04, 6 December 2011 (UTC)

Err ... you seem to have some sources. So that's OK then, isn't it? Cite them on the page(s) and separate the ladies. Andrew Dalby 17:23, 6 December 2011 (UTC)

OK, you got me now: When is a non-wikipedian website reliable as a source? Steliokardam (talk) 15:11, 8 December 2011 (UTC)

Good question :) And I'm sorry if I only seem to be carping on the sidelines: I am too busy on a completely different real-world issue right now to look back into my notes on the Komnenoi.

Wikipedia prefers "published" "peer-reviewed" sources. I believe that none of the ones you list above qualify. For medieval genealogy such sources can be difficult to find. But personally I consider one of those three sources -- Medlands -- streets ahead of the other two, because it cites and quotes its own sources, clearly, right there at the point of detail. The other two both appear to have been compiled by serious people, but they aren't telling us what sources they used (at least, not on the pages you show me, and from those I wasn't able to navigate to others). So, anyway, personally I trust Medlands, and if you develop the pages based on what Medlands says and citing Medlands I will raise no objection at all. In fact, I wish you good luck! Andrew Dalby 15:55, 8 December 2011 (UTC)

Image title change

Would you know by any chance to which noticeboard I should take that issue? Thanks in advance for your reply. Hearfourmewesique (talk) 14:08, 24 December 2011 (UTC)

See my answer on the file talk page at Commons. We'll see what happens next ... Andrew Dalby 10:52, 25 December 2011 (UTC)

Thanks for all your help. Hearfourmewesique (talk) 19:40, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

GLAM: Derby Price Delivery Confirmation

I still not receiving the books for GLAM Derby competition months ago. Can I have the delivery confirmation or I miss something? Thank you. Sanko (talk) 07:47, 28 December 2011 (UTC)

Very sorry about this, Sanko. Let's ask Victuallers -- I hope he will know the details of this arrangement. I'll copy this to his talk page. Andrew Dalby 19:26, 28 December 2011 (UTC)

Talk:List of films in the public domain in the United States

You may participate in the discussion if you have interest with this topic. --George Ho (talk) 10:25, 30 December 2011 (UTC)

Can you help?

Hi Andrew. Have you seen this? Do you think you can help? Regards, Paul August ☎ 16:05, 11 January 2012 (UTC)

Yes, I saw. It distressed me. I'll add a comment. Andrew Dalby 16:26, 11 January 2012 (UTC)

WikiProject Romania

Hi! From your edits, it looks like you might be interested in contributing to WikiProject Romania. It is a project aimed at organizing and improving the quality and accuracy of articles related to Romania. Thanks and best regards!

--Codrin.B (talk) 05:56, 21 January 2012 (UTC)

A compromise appears!

Thanks for introducing a much needed note of compromise to the Onward Muslim Soldiers issue. I take it you are Andrew "Dictionary of Languages" Dalby. Am I right? Tigerboy1966 (talk) 12:15, 24 January 2012 (UTC)

That PhD

Missed your post as it wasn't in chronological order. I probably missed it, but are you sure he says it was restored? I see where he says some publications restored 'Dr' to his name, but I don't actually see where he claims to have a PhD, and it isn't in his bio on his website. Could you reply to my post on this which is at the bottom of the thread? Thanks. Dougweller (talk) 18:30, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

Comments

Hi Andrew - see the bottom of my talk page. Trying to do that trick again. Any comments? Can you see the bug? This is a WHOLE town and they are installing WiFi just for us - This is a WIKI Town!!! Victuallers (talk) 12:59, 29 February 2012 (UTC) As usual I'm very grateful for any help I get. If you get a chance to start off the entrants page or to do a few thank yous when you have a bored moment then that would be great ! Oh and good look on the Oregon trail. btw. QRpedia was 2nd in best UK mobile idea as of 3 hours ago Victuallers (talk) 13:42, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

advert here too!

Please help: replace this red text with a translation of the English message below. Thank you!

@MonmouthpediA announces the Charles Rolls Challenge This is a multilingual collaboration to create a wiki-town. All Wikipedians can take part, in any Wikipedia language. The challenge runs from 1 March until the 19th of April 2012. (Prizegiving webstreamed on 21st April). Sign up now! "Can you imagine a Wiki Project that involves 1,000 QRpedia codes and free WiFi?"

You did very well at this last time! Victuallers (talk) 13:45, 29 February 2012 (UTC)

Hi Andrew, If we get to choose then lets have you as an entrant. Maybe you could still do the occasional "Wow thats good" and "I see you are gaining on Jim now" to encourage the others. I think we found out that we can do Welsh language support using QRpedia - so that will be great. I see we already have a latin Monmouthshire! - there is a Roman town of Monmouth and Monmouth Archaelogical Society might be intrigued. The main "use" will be on the Grade 1 and II listed buildings as we will have plaques on the front that tourists can click on. Really great to have you on board - There is a party on April 21 (webstreamed) and the UK AGM might interest you in May at the Science museum - want to talk? Victuallers (talk) 16:14, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Two duplicate articles on the English Wikipedia

Hello. As discussed in the wp:rsn, the two articles are almost identical: Bharatiya_Vidya_Bhavan's_Public_School,_BHEL and Bharatiya_Vidya_Bhavan_Public_School . Going by your suggestion "you can boldly replace the whole text of the non-preferred page with a redirect to the preferred title", I would like you to help me with the syntax. I've seen a similar thing in the WP articles education and teaching, but I could not get into the coding aspect. Regards, Hindustanilanguage (talk) 16:34, 17 March 2012 (UTC).

I'll tell you how to do it: if my explanation doesn't make sense, feel free to ask again and I'll do it for you! Here's the explanation.

1. Choose the page that you think is nearest to perfection (so far as we mortals can attain perfection!) let's call it page B
2. Copy any text that you think is useful out of the other page (page A) into your chosen page (page B)
3. Now, go back to page A, click "edit" and delete the whole text leaving an empty edit window. Don't save yet
4. In the empty edit window type this: #REDIRECT [[]] and inside those double brackets type the name of page B. Make sure you get the name exactly right: it's best to use copy-and-paste from the actual title of page B, if your browser will do this for you. Still don't save yet
5. In the edit summary type "Merging pages". It is important to do this because otherwise it will appear that you are deleting text
6. Now save. You have created a redirect page!

I hope that works for you. Andrew Dalby 17:00, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Merging of the two Wikipedia articles done. Thank for your advice, effort and guidance. There is one more thing: although politeness and patience is exhibited by many Wikipedia editors and admins, one rarely comes across the pleasant, supportive and welcoming approach as reflected in the words which you typed. Hindustanilanguage (talk) 21:41, 17 March 2012 (UTC).

Andre Du Nay

Thanks a lot for your reply, I appreciate it. The source is used in several places: [1] [2] , but I was referring especially to this particular article: [3]. It is also an opened thread on the talk page: Talk:Origin_of_the_Romanians#Andr.C3.A9_Du_Nay. If you want, you can post a comment there. Your opinion, as a third party, would be welcomed.

P.S. I've just read your profile and I can say I am impressed, it is an honor to be a colleague in the wikipedia project with you 79.117.174.178 (talk) 11:10, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

Fakirbakir (talk) 15:01, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

That's OK, I never follow anyone's instructions :) I have received no emails on this subject. Andrew Dalby 16:06, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

User:Fakirbakir found a review of the book: [4] but unfortunately the view of the document is not free. Do you happen to have access to it? The opinion of the American historian Keith Hitchins, honorific Members of the Romanian Academy would be really interesting 79.117.167.76 (talk) 09:06, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Nice find. I was able to look at this review (which says nothing about Du Nay's expertise or other work). According to Hitchins, Du Nay has argued one side of the case (well, as we know, that often happens on this issue!) and he has marshalled the linguistic arguments well. Du Nay has not dealt adequately with the archaeological evidence. No satisfactory conclusions could therefore be reached. Based on this review, my suggestion would be that Du Nay could be cited on our page for his linguistic approach and evidence, but, if citing him, we should give his name in the text. It would be better to find other sources for archaeological evidence and for general conclusions.

You're welcome to copy this opinion of mine if it's useful, but please copy all of it -- don't select words. Thanks! Andrew Dalby 09:45, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your answer. Is your suggestion to remove this table that could be not very accurate because of his inadequate use of archaeological evidence?

PS Is is possible to copy-paste here or send me via e-mail at dangramescu[at]gmail[dot]com the pdf file containing the review? 79.117.217.224 (talk) 10:09, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Latinitas

Hi Andrew, thank you for your input at Protogenoi. I've joined you at Vicipaedia with Mulierum Catalogus, an article that will probably be written in dribs and drabs as I try to finish the Wikipedia version. Should you ever have a hankering for some Hesiodea, please drop by the page: my Latin comp professor considered me a mongrel, and I'm sure that you'd quickly catch any infelicities (and outright grammatical errors). Best, — cardiff | chestnut — 14:56, 18 March 2012 (UTC)

Monmouthpedia

Hi Andrew

Just wanted to thank you for all your work on Monmouth related articles, really great. Mrjohncummings (talk) 19:50, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

It's a pleasure! I'm rather focusing on Latin to begin with, but I intend to vary this ... Andrew Dalby 20:33, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

Cheers Victuallers (talk) 23:22, 26 March 2012 (UTC)

DYK

I'll try - but is there a link to Monmouth? Oh and the Domsday project is alive. We propose to write 12,000 Domesday refs in Latin and push to the Latin Wikipedia????? Victuallers (talk) 13:25, 29 March 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for April 4

Hi. In your recent article edits, you've added some links pointing to disambiguation pages. Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

Protheselaus (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver)

added links pointing to Romance and Burgundy

Gilbert fitzBaderon (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver)

added a link pointing to Romance

Hawise of Monmouth (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver)

added a link pointing to Bangor

Ipomedon (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver)

added a link pointing to Romance

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 13:28, 4 April 2012 (UTC)

DYK for Cradle of Henry V

Panyd^{The muffin is not subtle} 00:01, 7 April 2012 (UTC)

Your HighBeam account is ready!

Good news! You now have access to 80 million articles in 6500 publications through HighBeam Research. Here's what you need to know:

• Your account activation code has been emailed to your Wikipedia email address.
  • Only 407 of 444 codes were successfully delivered; most failed because email was simply not set up (You can set it in Special:Preferences).
  • If you did not receive a code but were on the approved list, add your name to this section and we'll try again.
• The 1-year, free period begins when you enter the code.
• To activate your account: 1) Go to http://www.highbeam.com/prof1; 2) You’ll see the first page of a two-page registration. 3) Put in an email address and set up a password. (Use a different email address if you signed up for a free trial previously); 4) Click “Continue” to reach the second page of registration; 5) Input your basic information; 6) Input the activation code; 7) Click “Finish”. Note that the activation codes are one-time use only and are case-sensitive.
• If you need assistance, email "help at highbeam dot com", and include "HighBeam/Wikipedia" in the subject line. Or go to WP:HighBeam/Support, or ask User:Ocaasi. Please, per HighBeam's request, do not call the toll-free number for assistance with registration.
• A quick reminder about using the account: 1) try it out; 2) provide original citation information, in addition to linking to a HighBeam article; 3) avoid bare links to non-free HighBeam pages; 4) note "(subscription required)" in the citation, where appropriate
• HighBeam would love to hear feedback at WP:HighBeam/Experiences
• Show off your HighBeam access by placing {{User:Ocaasi/highbeam_userbox}} on your userpage
• When the 1-year period is up, check applications page to see if renewal is possible. We hope it will be.

Thanks for helping make Wikipedia better. Enjoy your research! Cheers, Ocaasi ^{t | c} 20:31, 13 April 2012 (UTC)

EtrapaNo6

Hello Andrew,

For you information, on WP-fr I have blocked EtrapaNo6 as a sock puppy of Double Vigie. This kind of threat was indeed unacceptable. Best regards — S t a r u s – Talk – 16:55, 21 April 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Starus (talk • contribs)

Le Gros

Hello Andrew,

I will try to explain.

Firstly A few hard facts. The Le Gros and many other noble family lines have been written out of history to suit the likes of the Saxe-Coburgs (current monarchs), who took the name "le Windsor" as their title. Surely we all know that they are from the Hanoverian Line, House_of_Este. It's a fact that Windsor castle and many other castles in England, Wales, Eire, and elsewhere in Europe, were built by the Normans, who were the original European Masons.

Secondly the transliteration of French names into Welsh names and English names leads to much confusion, especially as the transliterators do so without consulting the factual historic records from the country of origin. They do not have all the information. or seek to render the separation of history to their liking, for example Guillaume_Le_Conquereur is the French name of the Norman Monarch, who in English is referred to as William the Conqueror.

Thirdly Barri or Barry is the title of a place, named by the Normans, so it makes sense to assume that people from Barri can not be the progenitors of Barri / Barry. Although they might, by rote, be a part of the families descended from the Normans.

In order to fully understand the history of the world we need to separate the fact from the fiction. In these cases, what has been anglicised existed in French first. BTW I am an English born descendent from the Le Gros & De Clare Ancestral lines, so it is my historical interest alone to put the record straight.

Peace and blessings to all those who are by whatever means descended from these great families. Marcus MarcusLeDain (talk) 15:48, 22 April 2012 (UTC)

I'll reply on your talk page. Andrew Dalby 17:08, 22 April 2012 (UTC)

A bowl of strawberries for you!

Thanks for giving me a chance to explain MarcusLeDain (talk) 15:51, 22 April 2012 (UTC)

Phineas

Hi Andrew, I went about trying to move the associated pages in the wrong way. Could you please cast a !vote at Talk:Phineas#Requested move? Thank you — ^[dave] cardiff | _chestnut — 16:01, 23 April 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for April 27

Hi. When you recently edited Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Paul Levy (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 10:21, 27 April 2012 (UTC)

Proposed deletion of The Children's Crusade (novel)

The article The Children's Crusade (novel) has been proposed for deletion because of the following concern:

This novel now looks pretty obscure, it is not clear if it was ever translated into English, it does not have an entry on the French Wikipedia, and it is possible that Henry Treece's novel of the same name is now better known, at least in Britain. It can be dealt with briefly in the article on the author.

While all contributions to Wikipedia are appreciated, content or articles may be deleted for any of several reasons.

You may prevent the proposed deletion by removing the {{proposed deletion/dated}} notice, but please explain why in your edit summary or on the article's talk page.

Please consider improving the article to address the issues raised. Removing {{proposed deletion/dated}} will stop the proposed deletion process, but other deletion processes exist. In particular, the speedy deletion process can result in deletion without discussion, and articles for deletion allows discussion to reach consensus for deletion. PatGallacher (talk) 15:01, 29 April 2012 (UTC)

RSN note

I have recently left a "heads up" note at User talk:Fifelfoo#Menachery at RSN. You have also been involved in the RSN discussion to which the note relates. - Sitush (talk) 16:23, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

MonmouthpediA Charles Rolls Challenge Silver Contributor

Charles Rolls Challenge, Silver Contributor

For your efforts in contributing articles to the Monmouthpedia project, you were one of the top 15 contributors in the Charles Rolls Challenge, Thank you! We're pretty sure Monmouth is the best documented town in Wales, in many languages probably the best in the world. We've started a new competition, The Geoffrey of Monmouth Challenge, please tell people about it and feel free to enter yourself :) Please email your address to john.cummings@monmouthpedia.org so I can send you your prizes Mrjohncummings (talk) 17:08, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

Hi Andrew

Brilliant to hear from you again - I suspect we will have to extend the finish date for the send challenge. We are being asked to extend the spread of words to nearby towns. I'm not sure if you are fluent in written French but any assistance of Monmouth Heritage Trail articles would be especially useful (maybe a posting? as we are esp. missing French German and Dutch). As you say that's the one that is most likely to be clicked on in the street. However these are only favours so any offerings are welcome. Would the Linguist magazine be interested in a follow up? I do fantacise that the Scottish Latin or Esperanto society might choose Monmouth or Derby for its annual trip ... but no evidence of this yet. Victuallers (talk) 15:40, 8 May 2012 (UTC)

Category:Food and cookery journals

Category:Food and cookery journals, which you created, has been nominated for discussion. If you would like to participate in the discussion, you are invited to add your comments at the category's entry on the Categories for discussion page. Thank you. Guillaume2303 (talk) 16:29, 18 May 2012 (UTC)

MonmouthpediA Barnstar

		MonmouthpediA Barnstar
		Thank you for the almost superhuman effort you have put into Monmouth related articles, really appreciate it, hopefully most articles that have been written will get QRpedia codes, currently your article on the Cradle of Henry V has a code in Monmouth Museum. Thanks again Mrjohncummings (talk) 16:25, 11 June 2012 (UTC)

Baklava

Good Morning Dr. Dalby,

I am disturbing you because at the moment there is a discussion about Baklava regarding the following sentence:

"But Claudia Roden (New Book of Middle Eastern Food, 2000, ISBN 0-375-40506-2) and Andrew Dalby Siren Feasts: A History of Food and Gastronomy in Greece, 1997, ISBN 0-415-15657-2) find no evidence for it in Arab, Greek, or Byzantine sources before the Ottoman period."

Another user removed your reference, since he suspects that you don't mention Baklava in your work. Yesterday evening I realized that I do have your book, although in the German Edition (I never understood why foreign publishers keep changing the original title :-)). I browsed it half an hour, and actually I did not find any mention of this cake there. I wonder if this reference got lost in the German translation, or I could not find it, or actually you never wrote about Baklava in your book (maybe the user who put this reference assumes this as a proof in Evidence of absence :-)). A last remark: Perry thinks that layered breads in Central Asia are the ancestors of Baklava. But we know for sure that in the Greek-Roman world layered cakes (as Plancenta) did exist. On account of this, could not be possible to assume a "western" (Greek-Roman) origin of this cake? Thanks, Alex2006 (talk) 08:10, 23 July 2012 (UTC)

Thanks, Alex, I have now commented on that talk page. Andrew Dalby 11:58, 23 July 2012 (UTC)

Hallo Andrew, thanks for your answer! I take also this occasion to thank you - with some delay - for your recipe of Placenta. For the MMDCCL Dies Natalis of my birthplace, I organized a roman dinner with other friends living like me along the "Obergermanisches Limes". The meal was modern roman, but the cake was a Placenta of Catonian :-) proportions, prepared according to your recipe. It was a great surprise for them, and a huge success for me! Thanks again, Alex2006 (talk) 15:19, 24 July 2012 (UTC)

RSN

could you check one more time please? http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard#Reliable_source_for_criticism --Kazemita1 (talk) 23:27, 30 July 2012 (UTC)

Radio Interview with a Scholar

New question posted. Thanks http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/Noticeboard#Homa_Katouzian --24.94.18.234 (talk) 06:22, 7 August 2012 (UTC)

Thoughts regarding RS

Hi, this is more of a general query than one relating to a specific article, which makes things awkward if I raise it at WP:RSN. Do you have any opinions on the use of Hobson-Jobson as a source for etymological statements? I'd also ask Itsmejudith if they were around because they have some familiarity with Indic stuff, but they've not edited for a couple of weeks. - Sitush (talk) 11:32, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

Hi, Sitush, interesting question. I would consider Hobson-Jobson an excellent source. The authors were trained and expert philologists, the work has never been replaced by anything more up-to-date (as indicated by the fact that it is regularly reprinted and has been converted to database form at the University of Chicago). Indian linguistics "came of age" in their time, so their approach to word history is only superficially different from that of the scholars of today. Of course there will be cases where knowledge not available to Yule and Burnell affects their statement of a particular etymology: in such a case we'd cite a more recent source. But in general, I'd say, use them. Andrew Dalby 12:00, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

OK. That is a good analysis. Thanks very much. - Sitush (talk) 13:00, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for August 21

Hi. When you recently edited 2012 Chios forest fire, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Mastic (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 12:20, 21 August 2012 (UTC)

After something ... again

How to create a Wikipedia Town, The Story of MonmouthpediA. Click to download .pdf

So if you read the pdf then you will see that someone gets a name check and some attribution for a great project. Our even bigger project is in Gibraltar. I have made an invitation that I'm going to paste in here in a minute. If you had time to translate it into French and Latin and poste on their village pumps then that would be great. If you are interested in joining us on this jaunt then you'd be most welcome. It should make Monmouth seem unambitios, we hope. If you are too busy then I understand. Best wishes from your mate. Victuallers (talk) 18:48, 26 August 2012 (UTC)

ready ...

'Domesday Book' Please translate the text below into the language of your wiki We would like to invite you to contribute to the GibraltarpediA project, the world's first WIkipedia City. The project needs writers, photographers, translators and others to help build the first wiki city which bridges Europe and Africa. We are going to transform Gibraltar and the surrounding areas in Morocco and Spain into areas rich with encyclopedic content immediately accessible using QR codes and NFC on plaques for visitors and local people. There are prizes to reward contributors in the Gibraltarpedia Multilingual challenge for the best editors, photographs and cartographers... whoever you are. More at Gibraltarpedia.org

'Domesday Book'

Great to hear you are up for this jaunt. We have conference in March and wikimeets before then. Backing of Government is "a bit useful". If you can find time to post this about in French then that would be brilliant. It may seem a bit odd bit we are going to make the numbers update! Victuallers (talk) 09:40, 28 August 2012 (UTC)

posting

Havent check but hoping that you will post these to French and Latin wikis and maybe include your name as contact? Great to be working together again (do claim 4 points each for a template- itll put you in joint lead!)- Victuallers (talk) 13:33, 29 August 2012 (UTC)

Marie, Duchess of Auvergne

You need to sign your additions to Talk:Marie, Duchess of Auvergne. I will leave the article and talk page alone for the next 12 hours or so, so that you can have time to compete you edits and comments, but I have more to say on the issue. Just one point from my talk page WP:SAYWHEREYOUGOTIT is the reverse of what you state ("There's only one source and we cite it"). There are three reliable sources and cited by one unreliable source, so it is the three reliable sources that need to be cited as in WP:SAYWHEREYOUGOTIT (which is what I did). We can continue the conversation on the talk page of the article, but please assume that I am of the opinion that all of the text needs inline citations, as non of it is obvious. The general consensus at WP:V and WP:CITE is that all articles should have inline citations (hence the template {{unreferenced}} etc). -- PBS (talk) 16:40, 2 September 2012 (UTC)

I answered on your talk page. Andrew Dalby 17:51, 2 September 2012 (UTC)

I'll answer your questions within the next 24 hours. -- PBS (talk) 22:15, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Can't say that first impressions were reciprocal. You came over as a polite and reasonable person, and I have had no reason to change that first impression. -- PBS (talk) 20:12, 6 September 2012 (UTC)

Then I apologise for having failed momentarily to see the same in you! Andrew Dalby 12:56, 7 September 2012 (UTC)

The Olive Branch: A Dispute Resolution Newsletter (Issue #1)

Welcome to the first edition of The Olive Branch. This will be a place to semi-regularly update editors active in dispute resolution (DR) about some of the most important issues, advances, and challenges in the area. You were delivered this update because you are active in DR, but if you would prefer not to receive any future mailing, just add your name to this page.

Steven Zhang's Fellowship Slideshow

In this issue:

• Background: A brief overview of the DR ecosystem.
• Research: The most recent DR data
• Survey results: Highlights from Steven Zhang's April 2012 survey
• Activity analysis: Where DR happened, broken down by the top DR forums
• DR Noticeboard comparison: How the newest DR forum has progressed between May and August
• Discussion update: Checking up on the Wikiquette Assistance close debate
• Proposal: It's time to close the Geopolitical, ethnic, and religious conflicts noticeboard. Agree or disagree?

Read the entire first edition of The Olive Branch -->

--The Olive Branch 18:47, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

Excellent work

Andrew, I want to compliment you on the excellent work you are doing on the Marie, Duchess of Auvergne article. I know praise for one's efforts is rather scarse around Wikipedia, but it should be offered liberally to those such as yourself who are striving to improve the project!--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 08:36, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

That's nice of you, Jeanne. True, we criticise too much and don't praise enough. Andrew Dalby 20:50, 4 September 2012 (UTC)

I think that's one of the main problems around here. Editors prefer to criticise one another rather than compliment his or her often time-consuming efforts. If Wikipedians constantly point out faults in the content created by their fellow editors, than how can outsiders ever take Wikipedia seriously as a source of information? Anyway, Duchess Marie is looking good indeed!--Jeanne Boleyn (talk) 05:59, 5 September 2012 (UTC)

Sourcing ancestries...

I saw your post at WP:RSN - not people, but horses - see Easy Jet or Lightning Bar. Easy Jet was easy (oh, bad pun) since the complete pedigree was given in the two footnoted sources. Lightning Bar was a bit more difficult, as I used the pedigrees of his two parents plus a smaller pedigree of the subject horse. That help? Ealdgyth - Talk 02:22, 7 September 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the examples, Ealdgyth, which also bring to my eyes a whole new area of Wikipedia whose existence I hadn't even suspected! Andrew Dalby 12:53, 7 September 2012 (UTC)

FYI Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Persondata#Ancestor fields -- PBS (talk) 23:58, 10 September 2012 (UTC)

Thanks, PBS. Andrew Dalby 08:32, 11 September 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for September 28

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Dionisie de Munchensi, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Simon Langton (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 09:33, 28 September 2012 (UTC)

DYK for The Treatise (Walter of Bibbesworth)

Graeme Bartlett (talk) 16:02, 8 October 2012 (UTC)

An award from us (and the signpost :-) )

		The Signpost Barnstar
		This month the Signpost said that the Gibraltar project was a " ludicrously productive GLAM project". Thank you for helping us with that achievement. We have got behind with the barnstars so this is one to say thank you Andrew for helping. Gibraltarpedia.org is now showing the list of about 100 plaques - do take a look and see the languages we will be featuring. I'm keen to get the catholic churches in Latin and the museum in Anglo Saxon if you have some time. Victuallers (talk) 22:34, 24 October 2012 (UTC) Someone said this was underserved ... but you created the rules! Victuallers (talk) 15:40, 25 October 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for October 31

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Julian's Persian expedition, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Jovian (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 10:54, 31 October 2012 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for November 8

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Julian's Persian expedition, you added links pointing to the disambiguation pages Pontoon and Roman religion (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 10:58, 8 November 2012 (UTC)

Template:Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley

Please see Template talk:Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley where I have just added a comment. -- PBS (talk) 17:23, 8 November 2012 (UTC)

A Couple of Questions Regarding Reliable Sources in History

Dear Mr. Dalby,

I saw your activities in WP:RSN in identification of reliable sources in history. I work mainly in Persian Wiki on history-related topics and due to socio-political situations, most of the religion-related article reach to the controversial state; hence we need to strictly enforce the WP:PSTS rules. However, this strict enforcement has resulted in attracting no new active user in the topic and all the new users' contributions on controversial articles have been reverted. Thus, I am wondering whether we are too harsh or not. It will be great if you answer the following general question:

• We, in general, don't allow primary sources. However, WP:PSTS states that in some cases, they are permitted to be used. Can you point me to few resolved cases of controversial primary sources use in historical topics?

• My understanding from WP:PSTS is that, in general, an article should not be a superposition of solely tertiary sources. Can you elaborate on why this is the case? What is the disadvantage of relying only on tertiary sources? Because many of the famous historical figures have entries in most of the encyclopedias and it is easier for a user to just summarize them. In practice, since tertiary sources are usually more reliable, there is a tendency to not permit other secondary sources in the article, because their POV is different from the more reliable encyclopedic articles. It will be fantastic if you clarify this issue for me.

• When can a video be cited? For example, is this video a reliable source? How would you rate it (secondary, tertiary)? How about interviews in some random youtube channels?

Please let me know if you like me to post this in WP:RSN instead of here; but I would appreciate if you answer it here. Best regards, Taha (talk) 03:17, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

Hi, Taha. I am not a policy-maker on reliable sources on the en:wiki. I am sometimes able to help (or hinder) at RSN, but sometimes my point of view on sourcing historical articles is too different from that of Wikipedia, and in those cases, I usually leave it alone. As you may know, I also work on the Latin Vicipaedia, where I am involved in policy-making.

So I can't really help with your first question. English Wikipedia is edgy about primary sources: this is a hangover from the early days, when few primary sources were verifiable on line. Of course, nowadays, it is quite different, but attitudes on Wikipedia haven't caught up. My principle would be this: we should quote primary sources generously, wherever it may be useful, but we must rely on others to interpret the primary sources.

I agree with the general approach that Wikipedia should not be based on tertiary sources. If it is, it will always be a little less reliable than the tertiary sources, and I want it to be better and more reliable. This takes us back to the primary source question, though, because for some historical details there is nothing to be found but primary and tertiary. Where that's the case, we have to make a start and use those as well as we can.

In the area of history (and of research generally) I would never cite a video except, under external links, as an interesting sidelight on the opinion of the speaker, if the speaker is notable. When being filmed, you don't consult your notes, you often say what you didn't mean, you are often led astray by questioning and audience reaction and the demands of the producer and the network. Your aim is not to place historical research on record.

Don't know if that helps at all! Nice to hear from you, anyway. Andrew Dalby 10:11, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

Thank you for the enlightening and elaborate responses. Let me ask a follow-up question on my second question. For many, for example, historical Islamic figures the articles in Encyclopedia of Islam are quite comprehensive. Keeping WP:SYNTH in mind, how should we write the corresponding articles in the wiki so that they are better and more useful? What should differentiate a Wiki article from the corresponding article in EI? I also have two less policy-related questions: (1) I have overheard that modern methods of historiography is vastly different from older approaches. Since I am not a professional historian, would you please direct me to a tutorial of modern historiography method? (2) I am also interested in history of Semite people and the pre-Islamic middle east. Can you recommend a reliable source on this topic, mainly for personal use? Best regards, Taha (talk) 15:34, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

There may be an assumption that all encyclopedias are tertiary sources. It's not true. Research encyclopedias contain many articles written by named scholars and provided with detailed references that mark a real advance in their field: these articles, then, may be highly reliable secondary sources, just like the best research papers in journals. I don't use Encyclopedia of Islam much, but I think this may the case with it. It's certainly true of many of the articles (not all) in Encyclopaedia Iranica.

Sorry, I'm not the one to answer your two last questions. I learnt my history method by doing a Ph.D. in history: it worked for me but doesn't qualify me as an expert on historiography. Nor on the pre-Islamic Middle East. Bad luck! Andrew Dalby 17:54, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

I am sorry for asking my last two questions. Regarding the main question, thanks. I will make sure to check whether an encyclopedia article is a research article or represents the view of the community. Best regards, Taha (talk) 18:52, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

WP:ANI and User:Bhaskarbhagawati

I took the liberty to refer to a comment made by you on User:BB at WP:ANI: Wikipedia:Administrators'_noticeboard/Incidents#Repeated_removal_of_cited_lede. Chaipau (talk) 17:01, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

Hello ! Thanks for posting in ANI, actually i given two references and more is available for same. भास्कर्bhagawati Speak 06:13, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

Please comment

Hi. Please comment: Scythians: Consensus for the lead section: Iranian people or Iranian-speaking people. Thanks. Zheek (talk) 10:37, 3 April 2013 (UTC)

WP Classical Greece and Rome in the Signpost

The WikiProject Report would like to focus on WikiProject Classical Greece and Rome for a Signpost article. This is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to your efforts and attract new members to the project. Would you be willing to participate in an interview? If so, here are the questions for the interview. Just add your response below each question and feel free to skip any questions that you don't feel comfortable answering. Multiple editors will have an opportunity to respond to the interview questions, so be sure to sign your answers. If you know anyone else who would like to participate in the interview, please share this with them. Have a great day. –Mabeenot (talk) 01:24, 14 April 2013 (UTC)

Your comment needed here

Since you are not involved in the discussion going on here, which makes you an independent user, I would appreciate it if you comment on this inquiry please.[5]. Thanks

Love history, culture and ancient languages? Get involved in WikiProject World Digital Library!

World Digital Library Wikipedia Partnership - We need you!

Hi Andrew Dalby! I'm sending this invitation on behalf of SarahStierch, the Wikipedian In Residence at the World Digital Library, a project of the Library of Congress and UNESCO. We need your help to get this treasure trove of works in ancient and lesser-known languages into the hands of the people who can actually read them! We're recruiting Wikipedians who are passionate about history & culture to participate in improving Wikipedia using the WDL's vast free online resources. Participants can earn our awesome WDL barnstar and help to disseminate free knowledge from over 100 libraries in 7 different languages. Please sign up to participate here. Thanks for editing Wikipedia and we look forward to working with you! Djembayz (talk) 14:01, 26 May 2013 (UTC)

Delighted you're interested! Found a link that could be helpful:

• Latin Manuscripts from the World Digital Library

(Enjoying this rather whimsical endeavour to encourage scholars ... especially the Latin article on "YouTube" :) Djembayz (talk) 18:01, 26 May 2013 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for June 19

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Barbara Ketcham Wheaton, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Alan Davidson (check to confirm | fix with Dab solver). Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 10:53, 19 June 2013 (UTC)

Troubadours project

Hi, User:srnec and I are trying to systematize the material concerning troubadouric/Old Occitan literature. Since it is a prickly task, it would be nice if we had more help, especially from somebody who understands linguistics. I have seen a number of edits from you on related pages, and I wondered whether you would be interested in contributing. complainer (talk) 22:58, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Arsenokoites

Perhaps you are already considering how best to respond to my request to you here. Then please excuse me calling your attention to it without necessity. Esoglou (talk) 10:14, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

It was a good idea to mention it, Esoglou. I had lost sight of that discussion. I have now made a comment: hope it helps. Andrew Dalby 11:41, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

Thanks. Esoglou (talk) 11:53, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

My Latin is really rusty....

Could you double check a translation for:

• forte distincta species; sed ex unico a me viso specimine distinguere potui, neque debui (a mycologist distinguishing one species from another - so far as "perhaps a distinct species, but I could distinguish from the only example I have seen, nor could I" per google translate....

Cheers, Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 11:33, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

"Perhaps a distinct species, but I could not state it definitely from the only specimen I have seen, nor should I." I would have put an extra "neque" in there, but the meaning is clear. "Distinguere" (which I translate "state definitely") is being used as a technical term in taxonomy, I think, meaning to identify/publish the features that would prove it a distinct species. He says he couldn't and ought not to go that far. Hope that helps :) Andrew Dalby 12:46, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

• Yes that's it in a nutshell - thanks Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 13:26, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Brill Publishers

Dr. Dalby,

1. How are you?
2. You mentioned a point of note regarding Brill is that some have said they published certain books due to authors paying them to do so. Are you comfortable elaborating on this? I'm a huge fan of Brill's work on Islamic studies, and part of my interest in them is hearing all different perspectives on the publisher. MezzoMezzo (talk) 20:25, 22 July 2013 (UTC)

Invitation

As there is a Wikipedia article about you, you are cordially invited to contribute a short audio recoding of your spoken voice, so that our readers may know what you sound like and how you pronounce your name. Details of how to do so, and examples, are at Wikipedia:Voice intro project. You can ask for help or clarification on the project talk page, or my talk page. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:27, 19 August 2013 (UTC)

Thank you

Thanks for your help on WP:RSN. Chaipau (talk) 02:21, 16 September 2013 (UTC)

Request for comment in WP:RSN

Hello. Would you mind commenting on this please? Thanks.--Kazemita1 (talk) 23:37, 22 October 2013 (UTC)

Thank you for your comment Andrew. Would you be comfortable to give a verdict on that specific book? By the way, this review on that book by an associate professor was not on the book jacket.--Kazemita1 (talk) 22:01, 26 October 2013 (UTC)

Thanks for pointing out my misunderstanding about the source, Kazemita. I don't think it makes a real difference though -- I don't think we can treat this book as RS yet. I've commented at RSN. Andrew Dalby 10:18, 27 October 2013 (UTC)

Felix Dexter

I may have written the wrong date and not corrected it. As I copied the template for info box and may have not adjusted the date of birth. If so I apologise. Dwanyewest (talk) 11:44, 26 October 2013 (UTC)

Books and Bytes: The Wikipedia Library Newsletter

Books and Bytes

Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2013

by The Interior (talk · contribs), Ocaasi (talk · contribs)

Greetings Wikipedia Library members! Welcome to the inaugural edition of Books and Bytes, TWL’s monthly newsletter. We're sending you the first edition of this opt-in newsletter, because you signed up, or applied for a free research account: HighBeam, Credo, Questia, JSTOR, or Cochrane. To receive future updates of Books and Bytes, please add your name to the subscriber's list. There's lots of news this month for the Wikipedia Library, including new accounts, upcoming events, and new ways to get involved...

New positions: Sign up to be a Wikipedia Visiting Scholar, or a Volunteer Wikipedia Librarian

Wikipedia Loves Libraries: Off to a roaring start this fall in the United States: 29 events are planned or have been hosted.

New subscription donations: Cochrane round 2; HighBeam round 8; Questia round 4... Can we partner with NY Times and Lexis-Nexis??

New ideas: OCLC innovations in the works; VisualEditor Reference Dialog Workshop; a photo contest idea emerges

News from the library world: Wikipedian joins the National Archives full time; the Getty Museum releases 4,500 images; CERN goes CC-BY

Announcing WikiProject Open: WikiProject Open kicked off in October, with several brainstorming and co-working sessions

New ways to get involved: Visiting scholar requirements; subject guides; room for library expansion and exploration

Read the full newsletter

Thanks for reading! All future newsletters will be opt-in only. Have an item for the next issue? Leave a note for the editor on the Suggestions page. --The Interior 21:03, 27 October 2013 (UTC)

The Wikipedia Library Survey

As a subscriber to one of The Wikipedia Library's programs, we'd like to hear your thoughts about future donations and project activities in this brief survey. Thanks and cheers, Ocaasi ^{t | c} 15:25, 9 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks

Blush. Dougweller (talk) 16:32, 10 January 2014 (UTC)

Context on Hayek RSN

Did you get my ping? Ignore it.
Reading your user and last RSN talk page discussions with SPECIFICO, evidently you do not understand the context. SPECIFICO doesn't like a certain group of Austrian school economists and expunges as much as he can that is positive about them. Complaints about this and related BLP issues helped lead to Austrian economics/General sanctions and now it has led to a current Arbitration. So my comment "In other words leave out any evidence of praise and write Gray so it sounds like criticism of Block as fringe." was a response to SPECIFICO born out of experience. He tends to drag things on forever with sometimes ridiculous arguments, perhaps to appear to be the last word and the "consensus" on the issue at hand. It does make one tend to pull one's hair out. So it's not being infantile - there's an agenda at work. (

Also, sorry I didn't notice your comment on Harvard review that "home to and publishes" are two different things. Didn't do my homework, so now I better! "Carolmooredc (Talkie-Talkie) 22:03, 1 February 2014 (UTC)

@Carolmooredc:No problem, Carol. And, yes, I had a feeling that Specifico's opinion might be as you describe it, but I can't speak of another's state of mind :) What I can do is to point out to him, as is certainly true, that with every word he writes on the subject he's increasing the world's knowledge of it and interest in it. I never heard of Hayek or the Austrian school before reading Specifico's comments, and now I know quite a lot about them. It must be the same for some other watchers of RSN too. You can't talk a subject off Wikipedia: your best move, if you disapprove of a view, is to be positive and improve the coverage of the opposing view.

Just one point: I wouldn't want, by commenting on this, to lengthen the already lengthy period over which other people continue to pull their hair out. Rather than do that I'll just drop out quietly :) Andrew Dalby 09:48, 2 February 2014 (UTC)

For a good overview of the Austrian School, please have a look at its WP article, where I have been a major contributor and which presents lots of interesting content and links for further investigation. Hayek was indeed one of the giants of 20th Century economics and remains an inspiration to all of us who have studied his works. SPECIFICO talk 17:29, 2 February 2014 (UTC)

Unfortunately, Andrew, IMHO, another point of such tendentious editing is to drive away neutral, uninvolved editors who put policy first and don't see any reason to continue a debate which they feel should be settled by now. (I've certainly been the uninvolved editor in a few such situations.) Hmmm, I probably could put together 6-10 diffs of comments by more NPOV editors who also dropped out of discussions with similar comments. So many diffs, so little time... Carolmooredc (Talkie-Talkie) 17:57, 2 February 2014 (UTC)

I've been missing out

I didn't realize that you wrote books on such fascinating (to me) topics. Do you have, by any chance, a source about eating candy for breakfast? My goal for this year is to clean up Candy and related articles. The word candy doesn't appear in your book about breakfast, and searching for sweets in it didn't find anything relevant. WhatamIdoing (talk) 00:06, 10 May 2014 (UTC)

Kekoolani

Hello, you were involve a past similiar discussion Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard/Archive 115#Medieval Lands by Charles Cawley, can you give an opinion on Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Noticeboard#Kekoolani? I don't think it will violate Wikipedia:Canvassing since you fall under "Editors who have participated in previous discussions on the same topic (or closely related topics)." Thanks.--KAVEBEAR (talk) 10:46, 11 June 2014 (UTC)

Nice of you to ask me, but I've really had quite enough of reliable sources discussions :) Andrew Dalby 11:40, 11 June 2014 (UTC)

University course working on lawiki

Hi Andrew,

I'm Ryan with the Wiki Education Foundation. We've just had an advanced Latin course reach out to request our support this term. While we're happy to provide whatever help we can in terms of information and resources in English, we are not equipped to help on the content level or with regard to any cross-wiki differences that may exist in terms of policy/guideline/style. Could you help me to locate the best resources for this professor? (FYI I'm emailing you because you're listed at the local embassy page). Thanks very much. --Ryan (Wiki Ed) (talk) 16:41, 9 February 2015 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for February 17

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Charlotte Knight (horticulturalist), you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page National Portrait Gallery. Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 08:53, 17 February 2015 (UTC)

Interpreting Domesday Book

Hello Andrew. Do you have any experience of interpreting the Domesday Book? I'm trying to add Domesday information to various settlement articles, but need a little guidance in places. You helped me in 2013 by pointing to the resource British History Online, which I have subsequently found very useful. Might you be able to offer advice on interpreting Domesday sources? I've tried the History WikiProject but got no response. Thanks. PaleCloudedWhite (talk) 17:32, 4 March 2015 (UTC)

I answered on your talk page. Andrew Dalby 13:10, 5 March 2015 (UTC)

Thanks. I continued the conversation over there. PaleCloudedWhite (talk) 21:11, 5 March 2015 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for May 3

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that you've added some links pointing to disambiguation pages. Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

Anissa Helou

added a link pointing to Robert Irwin

Sami Zubaida

added a link pointing to Robert Irwin

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 08:57, 3 May 2015 (UTC)

The Wikipedia Library needs you!

We hope The Wikipedia Library has been a useful resource for your work. TWL is expanding rapidly and we need your help!

With only a couple hours per week, you can make a big difference for sharing knowledge. Please sign up and help us in one of these ways:

• Account coordinators: help distribute free research access
• Partner coordinators: seek new donations from partners
• Communications coordinators: share updates in blogs, social media, newsletters and notices
• Technical coordinators: advise on building tools to support the library's work
• Outreach coordinators: connect to university libraries, archives, and other GLAMs
• Research coordinators: run reference services

Sign up now

Send on behalf of The Wikipedia Library using MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 04:31, 7 July 2015 (UTC)

Good day at the BL

Hi Andrew, yes I found the day very good, sorry I had to shoot off before the days end. Please feel free to share my talk page details etc. with the foodies. I must admit I found the day a bit of an eye opener.

I would have liked to chat to you about using Wikipedia while doing academic research. I am currently doing an MSc in ICT and Development. I find it really useful to add facts to wikipedia articles, indeed often starting pages to keep track of what I am working on. By adding the ref's I can pull off the bibliography when I come to write up my research. Sometimes I also benefit from additional material that others I have added. Do you go to any meet ups? Leutha (talk) 13:40, 9 July 2015 (UTC)

Re: Latin greetings

Thank you a lot! It may be protected. Tar Lócesilion (queta) 14:23, 31 July 2015 (UTC)

Catherine de' Medici's culinary legend.

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your help in getting my sub-entry about the culinary legend ready for posting as a new section on the Catherine de' Medici page. I've done my best to format it into 'Wiki-code' but would appreciate a once over.

Also, once it's ready for posting how do I add it into the existing entry? Do I just paste it in the right part of the article and then wait to get that approved? Any tips or suggestions would be gratefully accepted. - Carolin CarolinCYoung (talk) 20:18, 15 August 2015 (UTC)

I answered on Carolin's talk page. Andrew Dalby 18:13, 20 August 2015 (UTC)

Move discussion in progress

There is a move discussion in progress on Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Burma (Myanmar) which affects the recently renamed page Myanmar. Please participate on that page and not in this talk page section. Thank you. Sawol (talk) 16:41, 20 August 2015 (UTC)

I don't think any definitive solution will be found until a democratic government of the country decides what its English name should be. Andrew Dalby 18:14, 20 August 2015 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for August 24

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Foodie, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Glutton. Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 08:59, 24 August 2015 (UTC)

Medlands

Hello Andrew, would you mind sharing your thoughts on the use of Medlands as a source in this discussion, Talk:John_the_Fearless? Thank you for your time. Victar (talk) 16:34, 3 October 2015 (UTC)

Hi Andrew, I haven't heard back from you again on the Talk:John_the_Fearless. When you have a second, I would appreciate it. Thanks. --Victar (talk) 03:11, 8 October 2015 (UTC)

Carolus de Lignieres

Hello Andrew Dalby, since you have shown an understanding of the French page, could I ask for your "help" on the latin side?--DDupard (talk) 15:19, 13 October 2015 (UTC)

Unfortunately not right now -- I'm travelling and busy. For Latin help you might ask meanwhile at the la:Vicipaedia:Taberna. My suggestion to you is that for any article -- in any language -- on this subject to survive on this site, it needs real, precise sourcing. The sources may say rather little, but it is important for other Wikipedians to know what they really do say. The present articles give the impression that the link between the printed books by Lignières and the genealogical sources is guesswork. If that's a false impression, it needs to be dispelled by fuller citation; if it's a true impression, the articles risk deletion. That's just a hasty opinion. Andrew Dalby 14:40, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Thank you Andrew Dalby, for your reply; Some references with dates have been added to the page, and am in contact with École Nationale des Chartes for any further information. Hopefully your travellings will be enjoyable.--DDupard (talk) 15:08, 14 October 2015 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for October 29

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. Wikipedia appreciates your help. We noticed though that when you edited Gerald Mars, you added links pointing to the disambiguation pages Pembroke College and Golden Mile. Such links are almost always unintended, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of "Did you mean..." article titles. Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 09:50, 29 October 2015 (UTC)

ArbCom elections are now open!

Hi,
You appear to be eligible to vote in the current Arbitration Committee election. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to enact binding solutions for disputes between editors, primarily related to serious behavioural issues that the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the ability to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate, you are welcome to review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. For the Election committee, MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 13:40, 23 November 2015 (UTC)

Nomination of The Art of Courtly Love for deletion

A discussion is taking place as to whether the article The Art of Courtly Love is suitable for inclusion in Wikipedia according to Wikipedia's policies and guidelines or whether it should be deleted.

The article will be discussed at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/The Art of Courtly Love until a consensus is reached, and anyone is welcome to contribute to the discussion. The nomination will explain the policies and guidelines which are of concern. The discussion focuses on high-quality evidence and our policies and guidelines.

Users may edit the article during the discussion, including to improve the article to address concerns raised in the discussion. However, do not remove the article-for-deletion notice from the top of the article. Tomwsulcer (talk) 13:02, 27 May 2016 (UTC)

IPA

Hi Andrew, I saw your IPA edit in this article [6]. Do you think you could be so kind to add it to these two as well [7] [8]? Thank you so much. Gryffindor (talk) 10:02, 30 May 2016 (UTC)

Earse listed at Redirects for discussion

An editor has asked for a discussion to address the redirect Earse. Since you had some involvement with the Earse redirect, you might want to participate in the redirect discussion if you have not already done so. -- Tavix ^(talk) 22:31, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

ArbCom Elections 2016: Voting now open!

Hello, Andrew Dalby. Voting in the 2016 Arbitration Committee elections is open from Monday, 00:00, 21 November through Sunday, 23:59, 4 December to all unblocked users who have registered an account before Wednesday, 00:00, 28 October 2016 and have made at least 150 mainspace edits before Sunday, 00:00, 1 November 2016.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2016 election, please review the candidates' statements and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 22:08, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

UCSF project

Hi! I am currently revamping the project. Created lots of pages and added a lot of content, but there is so much to do. I saw that in the past you have contributed, so I wanted to invite you to collaborate once more. Thanks! Eccekevin (talk) 13:18, 29 July 2017 (UTC)

Hello, Andrew Dalby! We are looking for editors to join WikiProject University of California, San Francisco, an outreach effort which aims to support development of UCSF related articles in Wikipedia. We thought you might be interested, and hope that you will join us. If you are interested in joining, please visit the project page, and add your name to the list of participants, check out our To Do list, and join the discussion on our talk page. Thanks!!!

Hello Andrew

We worked together at Regents College. Keen to get in touch. I'm on LinkedIn. Best, Paul Ream

Paulream57 (talk) 17:52, 20 August 2017 (UTC)

Very nice to hear from you, Paul. But I'm not on LinkedIn! Do please send me an email -- see the menu on the left, "email this user"! I'll reply -- Andrew Dalby 08:34, 21 August 2017 (UTC)

Help with Romanian?

Hello, I'm trying to write an article about a Romanian cave, Topolnita Cave, but I've run into a bit of a problem and I wondered if you could help me? I'm finding that English-language sources about this cave are reporting a length of 20.5 km, but the two Romanian news sources I've found say 11,000 m. Google Translate doesn't do well enough with Romanian so I can't tell if it's a translation error or what. Is it possible for you to have a look at these two Romanian sources and tell me what they're saying about the length? [9][10] I think there's a chance they're describing maybe a particular passage of the cave but I really can't tell. Any help would be huge, thanks! ♠PMC♠ (talk) 23:03, 9 October 2017 (UTC)

I'll reply on your talk page. Andrew Dalby 13:03, 10 October 2017 (UTC)

University of Dublin

I see you put in a correction there, recently. Relating to Latin, not an area of expertise for me. A deficiency, in my view, in the article is there is no discussion of an important officer of the University. The Public Orator. Rather typically reflecting the way the relationship between College and University at Dublin tends to be confused and inconsistent, while the Public Orator's function is a purely university one, they are appointed by the TCD Board. It is their function to compose, and deliver, in Latin, an oration in respect of each person being awarded an Honorary Degree. For practical reasons these days they are a member of the TCD Classics Dept. Would you be interested in doing something on this? Do similar posts exist elsewhere?Daithidebarra (talk) 13:18, 11 December 2017 (UTC)

Interesting to Vicipaedia, certainly. Maybe I will.

There was one in Cambridge, chosen by election by members of the Senate. I was an elector once, and I remember the canvassing for the two contenders (both classicists, for, as you say, practical reasons). Andrew Dalby 13:46, 11 December 2017 (UTC)

ArbCom 2017 election voter message

Hello, Andrew Dalby. Voting in the 2017 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 10 December. All users who registered an account before Saturday, 28 October 2017, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Wednesday, 1 November 2017 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2017 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 3 December 2017 (UTC)

Maureen Wroblewitz

Help for improvement this article. Thank you! — Preceding unsigned comment added by Ngochue456 (talk • contribs) 10:40, 15 December 2017 (UTC)

Sorry, not my usual subject area. Seems to have plenty of contributors already. Andrew Dalby 14:28, 15 December 2017 (UTC)

Your edit of my Latin Wiki article

Hi, thanks for editing http://la.wiki.x.io/wiki/Miodrag_Kojadinovi%C4%87 and I agree with some changes but have returned the translation of the name itself so that it is clear what it means; it may even be used some time in the future for a separate entry on Latin Wiki, such as it already exists in English, cf. http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Miodrag & http://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Kojadinovi%C4%87 .

Could you please leave it there as is?

I have also added the links you required and removed the request for links because it does not seem to beneeded any more. Hope that's OK. If you think it is still needed, do add it again and we'll see what more can be added.

And if you could go through what's been added and check for slippages of case endings when you have the time, it will be appreciated too. Ta. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.245.111.18 (talk) 13:58, 6 April 2018 (UTC)

I replied on my Latin talk page, since we're talking about the Latin Vicipaedia. Feel free to comment further there. Andrew Dalby 08:52, 7 April 2018 (UTC)

Jenny MacArthur and Jollof Rice

Dear Dr Andrew Dalby,

Good day. I'm a pharmacist who works in Sub Saharan Africa, and I'm doing some independent research on the origin of the name "jollof rice".

My research led me to a book written by Alan Davidson and published by the Oxford Press which cites Jenny MacArthur as a reference for the following excerpt;

"Jollof rice whose name comes from the ancient kingdom of the wolof people of Senegal..."

Searching for her, I happened upon an article that you authored that suggests that you once worked with her and that you may have access to some of her sources and original texts.

If this is correct, please can you kindly assist me with any further information on this source for this for my research? Anything that might suggest evidence beyond the obvious similarity in phonetic pronunciation on where the connection between "Jollof" and "Wolof" might have come from?

Thank you in eager anticipation of your kind response. Tunjitsu (talk) 20:07, 18 April 2018 (UTC)

Dear Tunjitsu

Thanks for writing. Unluckily I am probably unable to help you. Jenny MacArthur's information survives as a database, which I use myself and have shared with others: her husband kindly gave it to me. But it is just a list of definitions. It's frustrating that she did not link the bare definitions in the database to her sources of information. In general her sources were food writings in newspapers and magazines -- not what Wikipedia would call "reliable sources". Food journalists often tell the truth, and Jenny was often right, but there is no way of checking her sources in any one case.

I expect that Jenny herself, or a food writer who was her source for this, made the connection between the Jolof Empire and jollof rice based on the similarity of name. We might be able to find support for the link -- but not by way of Jenny's database.

With best wishes

Andrew 08:30, 19 April 2018 (UTC)

Thanks a million Dr Andrew.

I appreciate your prompt and detailed response!

I'll continue my search and I'll keep you updated if I find anything.

Cheers. Tunjitsu (talk) 13:02, 19 April 2018 (UTC)

1000 Cookbooks project

Hi Andrew, I met your co-author Sally Grainger at the Oxford Food Symposium in 2016, and was reminded of this when The Classical Cookbook just appeared on a top 10 cookbook list sent to us by Dina Begum.

I'm hoping we will be able to license The Classical Cookbook from the British Museum Press for our forthcoming ckbk digital service - it would be a great fit. In the meantime, I was wondering if you would be interested to share your own top 10 cookbook list? We have compiled hundreds of such lists already, including many from food historians. Sally's is here for example.

You can reach me at matt@1000cookbooks.com

Matt Cockerill (co-founder, 1000 Cookbooks) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Suntzusuntzu (talk • contribs) 09:27, 4 May 2018 (UTC)

Bibliographic templates for CGR articles

Hi @Andrew Dalby: thanks for all your contributions! Let's make this happen. I'm willing to help. Do we need to make this a formal proposal somewhere? Should we be limited to primary sources, at least initially? What can I do? Informata ob Iniquitatum (talk) 08:16, 24 June 2018 (UTC)

Sorry to be so slow in replying, @InformationvsInjustice:. I've been preoccupied with what is known as real life, but a new question at the CGR project page made me look at some pages today that demonstrate perfectly the kinds of references to sources that are crying out for improvement. But we need to think how! Will write more tomorrrow ... Andrew Dalby 15:05, 27 June 2018 (UTC)

@InformationvsInjustice:: I like to test ideas in practice. In the next two days (other things being equal) I'm going to try revising the references, in what I think will be a consistent and useful style, on the minor pages Pegasides, Emathion and Atymnius (as suggested to me by that latest discussion mentioned above) and then see if you and others agree that it's worth going on that way! Andrew Dalby 17:38, 28 June 2018 (UTC)

Difference between similar Latin words

Hello, Andrew. It's me again, Marcelo. Don't know if you remember me. I hope you are having a nice day. I had a question about some Latin words and I decided to ask you since you are quite familiar with the language yourself. I don't know if this is the right place to do so, but here goes:

Can you please tell me the difference between the Latin words "italus", "italianus", and "italicus"? I've tried to look them up and figure them out of myself but I get confused. Can you also give a sentence for each of them as an example?

Also what is the difference between "Nomen incolarum" and "adiectivum"

Thank you very much for your time and take care.

Marceloapm (talk) 19:36, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

I think it makes more sense to discuss this on Vicipaedia, and perhaps in reference to real pages, because I think you are talking about words you have found on Vicipaedia or words you want to use there. So I'll copy this to my Vicipaedia talk page and continue there. Andrew Dalby 19:58, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

ArbCom 2018 election voter message

Hello, Andrew Dalby. Voting in the 2018 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 2 December. All users who registered an account before Sunday, 28 October 2018, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Thursday, 1 November 2018 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2018 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 19 November 2018 (UTC)

ArbCom 2018 election voter message

Hello, Andrew Dalby. Voting in the 2018 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23.59 on Sunday, 3 December. All users who registered an account before Sunday, 28 October 2018, made at least 150 mainspace edits before Thursday, 1 November 2018 and are not currently blocked are eligible to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2018 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 18:42, 19 November 2018 (UTC)

Decipherment of ancient Egyptian scripts

Hello, Andrew. I'm planning on a rewrite of decipherment of ancient Egyptian scripts, and I've written up a draft of what's going to be the central section at User:A. Parrot/sandbox. The final article will cover the nature of the scripts, the pre-Rosetta efforts on hieroglyphs, and the work done after the mid-1820s, but as this is the section that addresses everything from the discovery of the Rosetta Stone to Champollion's Précis, it's the crucial one. I think I've managed a pretty careful examination of which scholar accomplished what and when, and an even-handed treatment of the priority dispute between Young and Champollion, but I'm seeking second opinions. Given that you worked on the article on the Rosetta Stone, your opinion would be valuable.

There are a few bits of text that are bracketed between percent signs; I hope they don't cause confusion. They're what I use to separate out notes to myself, or text I'm not sure of. In one case I've used them for a section title because I'm still not sure what to call that section, and in two others it indicates where I tentatively plan to put images or tables

I've tried to write the article in British English because the only English-speaking participants in the story were British, but Americanisms have probably crept in. Feel free to correct any you find. A. Parrot (talk) 14:57, 20 July 2019 (UTC)

OK, I'll have a look now. Thanks for the invitation! Andrew Dalby 17:05, 21 July 2019 (UTC)

Pilate apocrypha

HI Andrew Dalby,

If you do decide to try to write articles for those Pilate texts you mentioned at Talk:Pilate, or to improve Gospel of Nicodemus (my God could it use it)! I just thought I'd make sure you know that one of the main sources on the subject, Izydorczyk, Zbigniew, ed. (1997). The Medieval Gospel of Nicodemus: texts, intertexts, and contexts in Western Europe. Tempe, AZ: Medieval & Renaissance Texts and Studies. ISBN 0-86698-198-5, is available for free online [11]. I might also have some articles as PDFs that you could find useful.--Ermenrich (talk) 15:44, 31 July 2019 (UTC)

ArbCom 2019 election voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2019 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 on Monday, 2 December 2019. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate in the 2019 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:06, 19 November 2019 (UTC)

Your help is requested at this pt translation

Hi Andrew,

I just wanted to ask if you could help out at Draft:Operation Car Wash investigations? This is a translation in progress of this pt-wiki article, and your knowledge of Portuguese would be helpful. There's also a Talk page with open questions that could use feedback from more editors. Thanks, Mathglot (talk) 20:29, 16 December 2019 (UTC)

Merry Merry!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2020!

Hello Andrew Dalby, may you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New Year 2020. Happy editing, ★Trekker (talk) 17:42, 22 December 2019 (UTC) Spread the love by adding {{subst:Seasonal Greetings}} to other user talk pages.

A little help

Good morning Andrew

I have problems in translating in English following sentence: "...ut a magistris viarum et architectis quantum foret impense ad dirigendam viam a Porta Castri ad Palatium usque intelligent ac sibi postea referret." I am using it in this new article. It is 15th century latin from a Consistory. Could you please help me? Thanks a lot! Alex2006 (talk) 11:12, 19 January 2020 (UTC)

At first glance my translation would be "... that they should take note of, and afterwards report to him, the cost incurred by roadbuilders and architects in making a road from the Castle Gate to the Palace". Seems clear enough, but if anything here doesn't make sense in full context, let me know. Andrew Dalby 13:22, 19 January 2020 (UTC)

Thanks a lot for the fast answer! Actually I got stuck by "impense"...my Latin dictionary is 1000 km away, and on the web I found contradictory statements. Shame on myself! BTW, the text is from Johannes Burckhardt, Master of ceremonies of Pope Alexander VI: in the late 15th century Latin was still flourishing! :-) Alex2006 (talk) 16:17, 21 January 2020 (UTC)

Michelangelo Buonarotti

Hello, I am from Czech Wikipedia and I mentioned that you know Italian languague. I need your help with one phrase in Italian article Michelangelo Buonarroti, which I am translating to Czech languague. I have very big problems with this phrase: podestà al Castello di Chiusi e di Caprese: it's something like ... he was ... /here i dont know the podesta, it's some sort of parson?/ ... of the Chiusi and Caprese castle or am I wrong? Could you please help me?

Best regards, --Ján Kepler (talk) 08:50, 27 April 2020 (UTC) J. Kepler

Bad luck, I don't know Italian. I know Latin, but that's different by 2,000 years!

My Italian dictionary suggests "mayor", not "parson", but I think you need to ask someone else really. Sorry I can't help. Andrew Dalby 16:14, 27 April 2020 (UTC)

Today's Wikipedian 10 years ago

Awesome

Ten years!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:08, 5 May 2020 (UTC)

Latin translation

Hi Andrew, my high school Latin grammar/syntax is pretty rusty, and a friend and I were musing on translating "Many would, fewer could, I did." into Latin. We've come up with Multa faciant, poterat paucioribus, ego feci as an improvement on google translate (slotting in present subjunctive of "facere" first up presuming verb "to do" is implied....) What say you? Cheers, Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 06:02, 1 October 2020 (UTC)

Hi @Casliber:. This took a little thought ... In this case Latin can't get any more succinct than English, as it usually can! In a typical Latin sentence (even the three two-word sentences that we have here) the word that's most emphasized is often the last; in English it's often the opposite. I'm not going to rely on the subjunctive because it has a range of implications and the reader of this motto may not know, while ingesting the first two words, which of those to favour. I'm going to rely on the literal meaning of the English verb "will/would" = "want (to)"; and I think that out of several options the English reader might take "would ... could" as imperfect indicative tenses here, so I'll go with that. I think the English says "fewer" rather than "few" merely because of English undertones, so I'm not going to trouble with the comparative at that point. I finish up with "volebant multi, poterant pauci, feci ego". Word order within those three sentences is the most minor issue, and if, taking my translation, you wanted to reverse the order in each sentence, I'd back you against all comers. Andrew Dalby 08:47, 1 October 2020 (UTC)

Heh thanks for that. I had not thought of the verb volo/wish but makes sense....I'll take it :) Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 09:45, 1 October 2020 (UTC)

Random WP-related chatter

Which college were you at? We were contemporaries (Emma, matric. 1967, BA 1970).

I'm no linguist, just a low-level polyglot; I was a Natural Scientist; but our User Pages point in the same direction.

Who says that Grade 2 Latin O-Level was a waste of time? I wouldn't have written Carlo Antonio Fornasini without it. Narky Blert (talk) 21:18, 19 November 2020 (UTC)

@Narky Blert: I was at John's from 1966. Classics in part 1, MML in part 2. That added up to 4 years, so I took my BA in 1970 like you. I moved from Classics because (a) I was most interested in philology/linguistics; (b) if I had stayed in Classics, I would therefore have had to start Sanskrit, and why learn a third dead language? The irony is, long afterwards, I had to learn basic Sanskrit after all to do my rather recondite job at the UL. Andrew Dalby 09:16, 20 November 2020 (UTC)

ArbCom 2020 Elections voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2020 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 7 December 2020. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate in the 2020 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 01:28, 24 November 2020 (UTC)

Trojan language?

Hi Andrew, have you had a look at Trojan language lately? I think it needs a lot of help. Regards, Paul August ☎ 17:11, 13 December 2020 (UTC)

Best wishes for the holidays

		Season's Greetings
		Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season, and all best wishes for the New Year! Adoration of the Magi (Jan Mostaert) is my Wiki-Christmas card to all for this year. Johnbod (talk) 12:11, 19 December 2020 (UTC)

Disambiguation link notification for March 2

Hi. Thank you for your recent edits. An automated process has detected that when you recently edited David Downie, you added a link pointing to the disambiguation page Marais. Such links are usually incorrect, since a disambiguation page is merely a list of unrelated topics with similar titles. (Read the FAQ • Join us at the DPL WikiProject.)

It's OK to remove this message. Also, to stop receiving these messages, follow these opt-out instructions. Thanks, DPL bot (talk) 06:11, 2 March 2021 (UTC)

Julian's Persian expedition

You created this article, but it was moved to its current title ("Julian's Persian War") 5 years ago without good explanation. I prefer the title you originally chose, and have accordingly started a move request. You might be interested in giving an input. Avilich (talk) 22:04, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

Precious

language history

Thank you for quality articles around languages including De agri cultura, Geography of the Odyssey, John Beames, The Treatise (Walter of Bibbesworth) and Vindicta Salvatoris, for "languages don't frighten me", for honouring SlimVirgin, - Andrew, repeating (5 May 2010): you are an awesome Wikipedian!

You are recipient no. 2622 of Precious, a prize of QAI. --Gerda Arendt (talk) 08:30, 29 June 2021 (UTC)

Please help!

Hello! I'm from ru-wiki and I try to find this article:

• Jean Longnon, "Les Toucy en Orient et en Italie au XIIIe siècle" in Bulletin de La Société des Sciences Historiques et Naturelles de l'Yonne (1953/1956)

In this edit ([12]) you added this article, so I decided to ask you:

• Do you have this article now?

Yours faithfully, --Пиероги30 (talk) 12:36, 8 August 2021 (UTC)

ArbCom 2021 Elections voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2021 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 6 December 2021. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once. The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail. If you wish to participate in the 2021 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:07, 23 November 2021 (UTC)

ArbCom 2022 Elections voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2022 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 12 December 2022. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2022 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:23, 29 November 2022 (UTC)

Vicipaedia stub essay

Hi! I apologize if it was bad etiquette to impulsively publish a stub essay directly to project space. Some of us get funny ideas late at night and I guess I assumed that VP is enough of a work-in-progress that that sort of thing is OK. I do think that VP doesn't cover the modern world enough. However, let's just say I hesitate at the thought of telling that to a forum filled with enthusiasts of latinitas. Apart from which, conducting a discussion entirely in Latin about it would be harder for me than it was for many of the members of the First Dáil to conduct proceedings in Gaelic :) What do you think about all this? RadioactiveBoulevardier (talk) 09:13, 5 May 2023 (UTC)

@RadioactiveBoulevardier: Not etiquette, exactly, but it seemed to me that an unsourced and doubtful claim like that was better as a talk page item than as the beginning of a substantive page. So I moved it to the talk page. Others then thought it would be better still in the la:Vicipaedia:Taberna, which is where you'll find it if want to comment further on this. Demetrius Talpa has commented there that some Vicipaedians (naming no names, but certainly this would include Demetrius himself) are actively combating systemic bias.

You made three points, about ancient Rome, China, and Latinitas:

1. My impression was that maybe you assumed we wrote about ancient Rome without seriously looking. Forgive me if I'm wrong. Currently, as it happens, no active Vicipaedian is writing about ancient Rome, though several of us have done so from time to time.
2. On China, there is certainly far more to write about Chinese culture than we have done -- we are indeed stronger on Greece and Rome and Europe than on China, but we're working on it. Look at la:Moles Trium Angustiarum. How about la:Somnium aedium rubrarum, and la:Sancius? Even, on a small scale, may I mention la:Porcina Dongpo? And we need many more, so come and write for us!
3. As for Latinitas, surely you'd expect some use of English (Anglicitas) on the English wikipedia, some use of French on the French Wikipedia, etc.? Jimmy Wales's greatest achievement in my view was to facilitate the creation of encyclopedias in an enormous number of languages. That was a good thing, wasn't it? Since Latin has been an international language for most of its life, and all modern Latinists are bilingual or multilingual, we Vicipaedians might turn out to be less biased linguistically than certain others: we can cite sources in multiple languages and no one complains, we can quote original sources and add a Latin translation, we have names for all the identified plant and animal species of the world: no other language has this! Andrew Dalby 13:40, 5 May 2023 (UTC)

Judgement of Paris revisited

Prophetic, but too pessimistic - 2023 views to date are Myth 117 K vs wine 88 K. Best, Johnbod (talk) 02:57, 5 September 2023 (UTC)

ArbCom 2023 Elections voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2023 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 11 December 2023. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2023 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:24, 28 November 2023 (UTC)

Season's Greetings

		Season's Greetings
		Wishing everybody a Happy Holiday Season, and all best wishes for the New Year! The Nativity scene on the Pulpit in the Pisa Baptistery by Nicola Pisano is my Wiki-Christmas card to all for this year. Johnbod (talk) 02:59, 24 December 2023 (UTC)

May your days be merry and bright!

P Aculeius (talk) is wishing you Seasons Greetings! Whether you celebrate your hemisphere's Solstice or Xmas, Eid, Diwali, Hogmanay, Hanukkah, Lenaia, Festivus or even the Saturnalia, this is a special time of year for almost everyone!

Spread the holiday cheer by adding {{subst:User:WereSpielChequers/Dec10/Robin}} to your friends' talk pages.

P Aculeius (talk) 13:25, 24 December 2023 (UTC)

Featured picture scheduled for POTD

Hi Andrew Dalby,

This is to let you know that File:Passages d'outremer Fr5594, fol. 19r, Concile de Clermont.jpg, a featured picture you uploaded, has been selected as the English Wikipedia's picture of the day (POTD) for November 17, 2025. A preview of the POTD is displayed below and can be edited at Template:POTD/2025-11-17. If you have any concerns, please place a message at Wikipedia talk:Picture of the day. Thank you! Adam Cuerden ^(talk)_{Has about 8.8% of all FPs.} 08:15, 4 February 2024 (UTC)

The Council of Clermont was a mixed synod of ecclesiastics and laymen of the Catholic Church, called by Pope Urban II and held from 17 to 27 November 1095 at Clermont, Auvergne, at the time part of the Duchy of Aquitaine.

While the council is known today primarily for the speech Pope Urban gave on the final day, it was primarily a synod focused on implementing the Cluniac reforms, enacting decrees and settling local and regional issues. This also included the extension of the excommunication of Philip I of France for his adulterous remarriage to Bertrade of Montfort and a declaration of renewal of the Truce of God, an attempt on the part of the church to reduce feuding among Frankish nobles.

Pope Urban's speech on 27 November included the call to arms that would result in the First Crusade, and eventually the capture of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

The image comes from the Passages d'outremer, a chronicle of the Crusades published and illustrated three centuries after this event, and isn't particularly historically accurate, but also considered a masterpiece of mediaeval illustration, and a document showing the 15th-century interpretation of the crusading movement.

Jean Colombe

Recently featured:

Precious anniversary

Precious

Three years!

--Gerda Arendt (talk) 20:05, 29 June 2024 (UTC)

Wikiproject

H, I see you've contributed a lot to Rhapsode, would you be interested in joining a wikiproject on oral tradition? Kowal2701 (talk) 16:12, 25 July 2024 (UTC)

ArbCom 2024 Elections voter message

Hello! Voting in the 2024 Arbitration Committee elections is now open until 23:59 (UTC) on Monday, 2 December 2024. All eligible users are allowed to vote. Users with alternate accounts may only vote once.

The Arbitration Committee is the panel of editors responsible for conducting the Wikipedia arbitration process. It has the authority to impose binding solutions to disputes between editors, primarily for serious conduct disputes the community has been unable to resolve. This includes the authority to impose site bans, topic bans, editing restrictions, and other measures needed to maintain our editing environment. The arbitration policy describes the Committee's roles and responsibilities in greater detail.

If you wish to participate in the 2024 election, please review the candidates and submit your choices on the voting page. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, you may add {{NoACEMM}} to your user talk page. MediaWiki message delivery (talk) 00:09, 19 November 2024 (UTC)