common names

[Ron Gatrelle]

The following line is lifted from a recent post by Pierre Zagatti on the
subject of where to, and not to, collect in France.

"The [web] site is in French, but without any problems for scientific names
:-)
-no flame against US lovers of common names- :-)))"

This line prompts me to return to the topic of common vs. scientific names.
As I have mentioned before, I use common names at times, and for some taxa
or families most of the time. There is certainly a place for common names.
That placed however, is no where near the same rung on the ladder as
scientific names. In this post I am focusing on the international
linguistic aspect of common vs. technical "names". (Common names are true
names. Scientific "names" are not names at all but technical
classifications  - water (English name) agua (Spanish name)  vs. H2O, Gold
vs. Au, etc.

Common names vary greatly - and always will. They can never be standardized
until all inhabitants of earth speak only one "common" tongue. Scientific
terms on the other hand are already recognized, read, and understood by
everyone on Earth. Not only in speech but in text.

Ok, some will say they want to just standardize "common" names in the
various linguistic regions - e.g. North America.    WHY?     They are
already
standardized via scientific classification.

The argument with this is that the technical names seem to be multiple
choice
and only one name is needed - a common name.  A common name that the
proponents of see as something that will not ever change - like Spring
Azure. OOPS until a researcher finds out that there are 10 different
species
under this name and then guess what. Common names are changed, added to or
subtracted.

Common names seem wise to those who have little or no grasp of the
rules of scientific language and systematic taxonomy - amateurs
(beginners). And here is where I agree with common names - they are useful
for beginners. However, to me, many of the U.S. promoters of common name
usage don't just see them as a starting point, they seem to see these
American English names as the end point to the degree that scientific names
should be done away with - in anything other than dry academic writings.

I will also say this. The line of reasoning that something (anything) is
too complicated for some or most people to grasp is condescending and
elitist on the part of those who look down the masses. I remember the first
time -decades ago- I heard the argument that these Latinized names were to
hard for beginners to learn and understand. As a beginner myself then and
an observer of the debate, that seemed reasonable to me. That is untill it
was pointed out that children (under 6) use and understand Latinized names
just fine - Hippopotamus, Tyrannosaurus rex, Papilio etc.....

RG



 
 ------------------------------------------------------------ 

   For subscription and related information about LEPS-L visit:

   http://www.peabody.yale.edu/other/lepsl