Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Portuguese term or phrase:
diploma
English translation:
legislation/law/decree/legal text
Added to glossary by
NataliaAnne
Apr 22, 2012 21:19
12 yrs ago
40 viewers *
Portuguese term
Brazil
Education, Contracts and Social Sciences
Native in: English
Works in: Portuguese to English
diploma
Portuguese to English
Law/Patents
Law (general)
Angolan Law
I’m translating a legal text based on Presidential Decree 273/11 from Angola. My issue is that, aside from referring to the decree (“decreto”), there’s also a lot of reference to the “diploma”. I feel like it’s a synonym for ‘decree’ but really want to check this out as I’m not trained in law. I also started to wonder if it’s best translated as: decree, law, decree-law, order, mandate…Other?
I’d welcome your ideas, especially from those of you with knowledge of Angolan law. Please explain and reference your answers because my main objective is to really understand the difference between “decreto” and “diploma”. Thanks!
I’d welcome your ideas, especially from those of you with knowledge of Angolan law. Please explain and reference your answers because my main objective is to really understand the difference between “decreto” and “diploma”. Thanks!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 | legislation |
Mark Robertson
|
| 5 | diploma - documento - drecreto |
Antonio Barros
|
| 4 | directive/order/executive order/decree |
rir
|
Proposed translations
2 hrs
Mark Robertson
Native in English
Specializes in field
Translations by lawyers for lawyers
Native in: English 
Works in: Portuguese to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
1218
Selected
legislation
In this context, Diploma (EN) and Diploma (PT) are false friends. According to Collins English Dictionary, a diploma is (1) a document conferring a qualification, recording success in examinations or successful completion of a course of study (2) an official document that confers an honour or privilege. Blacks Law Dictionary records diploma as "a civil law term meaning a royal charter; letters patent granted by a prince or sovereign. Instrument conferring some honor, privilege or authority. Commonly used to denote document given by an educational institution on graduation and awarding of a degree." None of the above coincide with the meaning of diploma (PT) in the sense of diploma legal, which is "texto de uma lei, notadamente quando nela se inserem preceitos ou regras fundamentais"; Vocabulário Jurídico: De Plácido e Silva. In the case diploma means legislation, or item of legislation.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-22 23:59:16 GMT)
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The translation suggested by Maria Chaves de Mello: Dicionário Jurídico; is statute, which also works.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:01:49 GMT)
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Reply to your question.
It is a more general term than decree, which includes the various types of legislation, e.g. decrees, decree-laws, laws, regulatory decrees, etc.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:03:48 GMT)
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So, all decrees are diplomas, but not all diplomas are decrees.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:06:10 GMT)
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Sorry it's too late here. All decrees are statutes/legislation, but not all statutes/legislation takes the form of a decree.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-22 23:59:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The translation suggested by Maria Chaves de Mello: Dicionário Jurídico; is statute, which also works.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:01:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Reply to your question.
It is a more general term than decree, which includes the various types of legislation, e.g. decrees, decree-laws, laws, regulatory decrees, etc.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:03:48 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
So, all decrees are diplomas, but not all diplomas are decrees.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2012-04-23 00:06:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry it's too late here. All decrees are statutes/legislation, but not all statutes/legislation takes the form of a decree.
Note from asker:
| So it doesn't mean 'decree'? |
| Thank you very much. It was a combination of all of the answers and discussion which clarified the term for me. |
3 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
5 hrs
directive/order/executive order/decree
in your case I believe its about a 'decreto lei' - executive order or decree in other countries, which can easily be replaced with the word 'diploma', in the Portuguese text, but referring to the same decree/executive order.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order_(United_States)
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decreto-lei
a decreto lei is a 'diploma legislativo' = a decree or executive order is a piece of legislation/ a directive, an order
Hope it helps:)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_order_(United_States)
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decreto-lei
a decreto lei is a 'diploma legislativo' = a decree or executive order is a piece of legislation/ a directive, an order
Hope it helps:)
Note from asker:
| Thanks for your contribution. So, are you saying that all these terms (directive/order/executive order/decree) can be used interchangeably? |
42 mins
Antonio Barros
Brazil
Brazil
Native in Portuguese
Specializes in field
Brazil
Legal Translator & Lawyer
Native in: Portuguese
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English, French to Portuguese, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
88
diploma - documento - drecreto
Significado de Diploma
s.m. Documento pelo qual se reconhece ou se confere oficialmente um privilégio, um título, uma dignidade, um poder.
Título comprobatório de direito ou obrigação.
Documento oficial ou particular de conclusão de cursos em colégios, academias, universidades: diploma de bacharel, diploma de médico.
Qualquer lei ou decreto.
http://www.dicio.com.br/diploma/
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Note added at 46 mins (2012-04-22 22:05:27 GMT)
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Definições para "Diploma legal"
Diploma legal - Instrumento formal que compreende articuladamente várias disposições jurídicas.
www.saberjuridico.com.br
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Note added at 48 mins (2012-04-22 22:08:11 GMT)
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O mandado de segurança está regulado pelo recente diploma legal: a Lei nº. 12.016, de 7 de agosto de 2009, que revogou expressamente a Lei nº. 1.533/1951 e, ainda, a legislação esparsa (Leis nº. 4.348/1964 e nº. 5.021/1966).
Leia mais: http://jus.com.br/revista/texto/18549/o-sujeito-passivo-no-m...
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Note added at 52 mins (2012-04-22 22:11:49 GMT)
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Lei (do verbo latino ligare, que significa "aquilo que liga", ou legere, que significa "aquilo que se lê") é uma norma ou conjunto de normas jurídicas criadas através dos processos próprios do ato normativo e estabelecidas pelas autoridades competentes para o efeito.
...
Em sentido amplo, lei abrange qualquer norma jurídica enquanto em sentido restrito compreende apenas os diplomas emanados pela Assembleia.
...
A sua vigência dá-se após o prazo de 5 dias, em Portugal, ou de 45 dias, no Brasil, desde a data da sua publicação, ou no prazo estabelecido expressamente no diploma legal. Este período entre a publicação e a entrada em vigor da lei é conhecido pela expressão latina "vacatio legis".
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Note added at 58 mins (2012-04-22 22:18:02 GMT)
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I suggest "legal instrument"
Law - legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity; "there is a law against kidnapping""
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:20:41 GMT)
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Or simply "decree"...
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Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:50:19 GMT)
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A decree is a ruling by the President of Angola, as state in Constitution of Angola (http://www.governo.gov.ao/Arquivos/Constituicao_da_Republica...
Artigo 125.º
(Forma dos actos)
1. No exercício das suas competências o Presidente da República emite decretos legislativos presidenciais, decretos legislativos presidenciais provisórios, decretos presidenciais e despachos presidenciais, que são publicados no Diário da República.
2. Revestem a forma de decreto legislativo presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos na alínea e) do artigo 120.º;
3. Revestem a forma de decreto presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos nas alíneas a), d), e), f), g), h), i), j), k), l), m), n), o), p), q), t) e u) do artigo 119.º, nas alíneas g) e l) do artigo 120.º, na alínea d) do artigo 121.º, nas alíneas c), d), e), f), g), h), i) e j) do artigo 122.º, todos da Constituição.
4. Os actos do Presidente da República decorrentes da sua competência como Comandante-em-Chefe das Forças Armadas e não previstos nos números anteriores revestem a forma de Directivas, Indicações, Ordens e Despachos do Comandante-em-Chefe. Revestem a forma de Despacho Presidencial os actos administrativos do Presidente da República.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:50:50 GMT)
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as stated ...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:53:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
A decree is a ruling by the President of Angola, as stated in Constitution of Angola (http://www.governo.gov.ao/Arquivos/Constituicao_da_Republica...
Artigo 125.º
(Forma dos actos)
1. No exercício das suas competências o Presidente da República emite decretos legislativos presidenciais, decretos legislativos presidenciais provisórios, decretos presidenciais e despachos presidenciais, que são publicados no Diário da República.
2. Revestem a forma de decreto legislativo presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos na alínea e) do artigo 120.º;
3. Revestem a forma de decreto presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos nas alíneas a), d), e), f), g), h), i), j), k), l), m), n), o), p), q), t) e u) do artigo 119.º, nas alíneas g) e l) do artigo 120.º, na alínea d) do artigo 121.º, nas alíneas c), d), e), f), g), h), i) e j) do artigo 122.º, todos da Constituição.
4. Os actos do Presidente da República decorrentes da sua competência como Comandante-em-Chefe das Forças Armadas e não previstos nos números anteriores revestem a forma de Directivas, Indicações, Ordens e Despachos do Comandante-em-Chefe. Revestem a forma de Despacho Presidencial os actos administrativos do Presidente da República.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:57:47 GMT)
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King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:59:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Rule by decree is a style of governance allowing quick, unchallenged creation of law by a single person or group, and is used primarily by dictators and absolute monarchs, although philosophers such as Giorgio Agamben have argued that it has been generalized since World War I in all modern states, including representative democracies.
The expression is also sometimes used as a pejorative and polemical hyperbole when describing actions of democratic governments that are perceived to unduly bypass parliamentarian or popular scrutiny.
Rule by decree allows the ruler to arbitrarily create law, without approval by a legislative assembly.
When states of emergency such as martial law are in place, rule by decree is common. While rule by decree is easily susceptible to the whims and corruption of the person in power, it is also highly efficient: a law can take weeks or months to pass in a legislature, but can be created with the stroke of a pen by a leader ruling by decree. This is what makes it valuable in emergency situations. Thus, it is allowed by many Constitutions, among which is the French Constitution. U.S. presidential executive orders share some similarities with rule by decree.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 23:01:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
For the above reason, formally, a decree is different from a law.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 23:02:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The legal basis of Hitler’s dictatorship was founded on 2 decrees
The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State 28 Feb 1933 – in the immediate aftermath of the Reichstag Fire this decree suspended civil liberties and massively increased the power of the police and the courts. It also gave supremacy to central government over local government
The Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich (aka Enabling Act) 24 March 1933 – gave Hitler personal power to rule and legislate by decree by passing parliament altogether. Also the power to declare war, peace sign treaties etc without consulting Reichstag
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Note added at 6 hrs (2012-04-23 03:21:23 GMT)
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Diploma in Portuguese denotes any legal instrument. If the legal instrument being referred to is a Presidential decree, then the correct translation is decree. It would be ham-fisted to translate using the literal definition of "legal instrument." A "diploma" can be a law, a decree, etc. In your case, it seems that the best translation is decree, as you said.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2012-04-23 04:09:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
All Quiet on the Western Front, while a decree is only a decree.
s.m. Documento pelo qual se reconhece ou se confere oficialmente um privilégio, um título, uma dignidade, um poder.
Título comprobatório de direito ou obrigação.
Documento oficial ou particular de conclusão de cursos em colégios, academias, universidades: diploma de bacharel, diploma de médico.
Qualquer lei ou decreto.
http://www.dicio.com.br/diploma/
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 46 mins (2012-04-22 22:05:27 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Definições para "Diploma legal"
Diploma legal - Instrumento formal que compreende articuladamente várias disposições jurídicas.
www.saberjuridico.com.br
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 48 mins (2012-04-22 22:08:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
O mandado de segurança está regulado pelo recente diploma legal: a Lei nº. 12.016, de 7 de agosto de 2009, que revogou expressamente a Lei nº. 1.533/1951 e, ainda, a legislação esparsa (Leis nº. 4.348/1964 e nº. 5.021/1966).
Leia mais: http://jus.com.br/revista/texto/18549/o-sujeito-passivo-no-m...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 52 mins (2012-04-22 22:11:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Lei (do verbo latino ligare, que significa "aquilo que liga", ou legere, que significa "aquilo que se lê") é uma norma ou conjunto de normas jurídicas criadas através dos processos próprios do ato normativo e estabelecidas pelas autoridades competentes para o efeito.
...
Em sentido amplo, lei abrange qualquer norma jurídica enquanto em sentido restrito compreende apenas os diplomas emanados pela Assembleia.
...
A sua vigência dá-se após o prazo de 5 dias, em Portugal, ou de 45 dias, no Brasil, desde a data da sua publicação, ou no prazo estabelecido expressamente no diploma legal. Este período entre a publicação e a entrada em vigor da lei é conhecido pela expressão latina "vacatio legis".
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 58 mins (2012-04-22 22:18:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I suggest "legal instrument"
Law - legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity; "there is a law against kidnapping""
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:20:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Or simply "decree"...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:50:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
A decree is a ruling by the President of Angola, as state in Constitution of Angola (http://www.governo.gov.ao/Arquivos/Constituicao_da_Republica...
Artigo 125.º
(Forma dos actos)
1. No exercício das suas competências o Presidente da República emite decretos legislativos presidenciais, decretos legislativos presidenciais provisórios, decretos presidenciais e despachos presidenciais, que são publicados no Diário da República.
2. Revestem a forma de decreto legislativo presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos na alínea e) do artigo 120.º;
3. Revestem a forma de decreto presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos nas alíneas a), d), e), f), g), h), i), j), k), l), m), n), o), p), q), t) e u) do artigo 119.º, nas alíneas g) e l) do artigo 120.º, na alínea d) do artigo 121.º, nas alíneas c), d), e), f), g), h), i) e j) do artigo 122.º, todos da Constituição.
4. Os actos do Presidente da República decorrentes da sua competência como Comandante-em-Chefe das Forças Armadas e não previstos nos números anteriores revestem a forma de Directivas, Indicações, Ordens e Despachos do Comandante-em-Chefe. Revestem a forma de Despacho Presidencial os actos administrativos do Presidente da República.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:50:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
as stated ...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:53:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
A decree is a ruling by the President of Angola, as stated in Constitution of Angola (http://www.governo.gov.ao/Arquivos/Constituicao_da_Republica...
Artigo 125.º
(Forma dos actos)
1. No exercício das suas competências o Presidente da República emite decretos legislativos presidenciais, decretos legislativos presidenciais provisórios, decretos presidenciais e despachos presidenciais, que são publicados no Diário da República.
2. Revestem a forma de decreto legislativo presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos na alínea e) do artigo 120.º;
3. Revestem a forma de decreto presidencial os actos do Presidente da República referidos nas alíneas a), d), e), f), g), h), i), j), k), l), m), n), o), p), q), t) e u) do artigo 119.º, nas alíneas g) e l) do artigo 120.º, na alínea d) do artigo 121.º, nas alíneas c), d), e), f), g), h), i) e j) do artigo 122.º, todos da Constituição.
4. Os actos do Presidente da República decorrentes da sua competência como Comandante-em-Chefe das Forças Armadas e não previstos nos números anteriores revestem a forma de Directivas, Indicações, Ordens e Despachos do Comandante-em-Chefe. Revestem a forma de Despacho Presidencial os actos administrativos do Presidente da República.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:57:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 22:59:47 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Rule by decree is a style of governance allowing quick, unchallenged creation of law by a single person or group, and is used primarily by dictators and absolute monarchs, although philosophers such as Giorgio Agamben have argued that it has been generalized since World War I in all modern states, including representative democracies.
The expression is also sometimes used as a pejorative and polemical hyperbole when describing actions of democratic governments that are perceived to unduly bypass parliamentarian or popular scrutiny.
Rule by decree allows the ruler to arbitrarily create law, without approval by a legislative assembly.
When states of emergency such as martial law are in place, rule by decree is common. While rule by decree is easily susceptible to the whims and corruption of the person in power, it is also highly efficient: a law can take weeks or months to pass in a legislature, but can be created with the stroke of a pen by a leader ruling by decree. This is what makes it valuable in emergency situations. Thus, it is allowed by many Constitutions, among which is the French Constitution. U.S. presidential executive orders share some similarities with rule by decree.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 23:01:11 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
For the above reason, formally, a decree is different from a law.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2012-04-22 23:02:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
The legal basis of Hitler’s dictatorship was founded on 2 decrees
The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State 28 Feb 1933 – in the immediate aftermath of the Reichstag Fire this decree suspended civil liberties and massively increased the power of the police and the courts. It also gave supremacy to central government over local government
The Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich (aka Enabling Act) 24 March 1933 – gave Hitler personal power to rule and legislate by decree by passing parliament altogether. Also the power to declare war, peace sign treaties etc without consulting Reichstag
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2012-04-23 03:21:23 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Diploma in Portuguese denotes any legal instrument. If the legal instrument being referred to is a Presidential decree, then the correct translation is decree. It would be ham-fisted to translate using the literal definition of "legal instrument." A "diploma" can be a law, a decree, etc. In your case, it seems that the best translation is decree, as you said.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2012-04-23 04:09:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
All Quiet on the Western Front, while a decree is only a decree.
Note from asker:
| Which one term would you choose for the translation? |
| Thanks for your detailed answer. It seems to have brought me back to my starting place of ‘decree’…Perhaps I was overthinking it? |
| Thank you very much. It was a combination of all of the answers and discussion which clarified the term for me. |
Discussion
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_de_Portugal#Hierarquia_das_...
IMHO, the term "diploma" (in a legal context) is fairly generic and generally means "this law or piece of legislation that we are talking about".