[diiq]

I think the corpus of latin/english translations is not large enough, because the translation of even the basest schoolboy latin seems mangled; different declensions of the same word get different translations. 'Ancilla' [female slave, I was taught] is translated: maid, handmaiden, women, and ancillary, depending on declension?

[haberman]

Oh, I think I can shed some light on this! Never studied Latin but I sing a lot of church music. The very popular "Magnificat" text in Latin in includes the line:

  quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.

This is traditionally translated as:

  Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;

Or:

  For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificat . In context, Mary is definitely not talking about being a slave, but a willing servant.