Jan 12, 2006 13:33
18 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term
Works in: English
encipher, decipher
English
Tech/Engineering
Accounting
give some explaining
If you want to follow the ISO 7498-2 standard, use the terms ¡°encipher¡± and ¡°decipher.¡± It seems that some cultures find the terms ¡°encrypt¡± and ¡°decrypt¡± offensive, as they refer to dead bodies.
in top sentence , why said encrypt and decrypt refer to dead bodies.
in chinese encrypt means "¼ÓÃÜ"while decrypt means"½âÃÜ"£¬ÈçºÎºÍËÀʬ£¨dead bodies£©Á¬ÔÚÒ»ÆðÁË,who can explain it ?
thanks.
in top sentence , why said encrypt and decrypt refer to dead bodies.
in chinese encrypt means "¼ÓÃÜ"while decrypt means"½âÃÜ"£¬ÈçºÎºÍËÀʬ£¨dead bodies£©Á¬ÔÚÒ»ÆðÁË,who can explain it ?
thanks.
Responses
+7
6 mins
Richard Benham
France
France
Native in English
&
English
France
When quality counts
Native in: English 
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
Explanation
You ask why, in some languages, "encrypt" and "decrypt" refer to dead bodies. Well, they both relate to the Greek word "kruptos", which means "secret". Unfortunately, a "crypt" can also be an underground (and hence "secret" burial vault. So, presumably, in some languages, words similar to "encrypt" and "decrypt" can mean to bury someone or dig them up again.
I assume you know what the words encipher/encrypt and decipher/decrypt actually mean in English.
I assume you know what the words encipher/encrypt and decipher/decrypt actually mean in English.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+4
5 mins
Patricia Fierro, M. Sc.
Ecuador
Ecuador
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Ecuador
Language and engineering expert
Native in: Spanish 
, English
Works in: English to Spanish, Portuguese to English, Spanish to English, and 7 more.
crypt is a place of burial
Maybe the definition can help you. Encipher and encrypt mean the same thing, which is to convert text to a special cipher or code, like when spies send messages. Decipher and decrypt also mean the same thing, that is to transfer the code to a text that everyone can understand.
HTH
HTH
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Kim Metzger
2 mins
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Thanks !
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| agree |
James Girard
: 'crypt' is the crux. As it has two meanings in English, I wonder if I'll be encoded when I die. At least I hope I'll have been decrypted by then. -JAG
6 mins
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| agree |
jccantrell
: Yes, agree with James here. Although the meaning in Engish do not involve burial for en- and de-, I can see where a little English knowledge could be a dangerous thing.
1 hr
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| agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
1 day 40 mins
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7 mins
Brie Vernier
Germany
Germany
Native in English
&
English
Germany
Bridging the language gap since 1995
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, US)
Works in: German to English
because ...
I imagine that some cultures could associate encrypt and decrypt with 'crypt': A cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church). http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/crypt
I am not personally familiar with such cultures, but I supposed it could happen.
I am not personally familiar with such cultures, but I supposed it could happen.
2 days 4 hrs
Dorene Cornwell
Native in English
&
English
Thorough, sensitive, and idiomatic
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, Spanish to English, English, and 2 more.
bury / inter not encrypt
On the off chance that you need some vocabulary to deal with actual dead bodies instead of coding and digital encryption a couple suggested pairs:
inter / disinter
bury / exhume
See if one of these pairs better fits your context
inter / disinter
bury / exhume
See if one of these pairs better fits your context
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