And what is in a name?

[cmbb at sk.sympatico.ca]

I think I started this thread, but who knows anymore.  Yes, I like common
names - the vernacular - better than Latin.  They are much easier for me to
learn and remember than Latinized nomenclature.  However, this should not be
taken as an argument against any of the well thought-out and lucidly
presented points that Ron Gatrelle has graced us with.

Recently, an escapee has made its way from the Bahamas all the way here to
the north country - Saskatchewan.  The Eurasian Collared Dove.  So it is
named in bird books printed in North America.  In European books it is
called the Collared Dove.  Why am I certain that it is the same bird?  The
Latin name for both the Eurasian Collared Dove and the Collared Dove is
Streptopelia decaocto in all books.

Streptopelia decaocto is not an aide-memoire to me, Collared Dove is.  It's
the pigeon with the black ring on the back of its neck where the neck meets
the rest of the bird's body.

I suspect that one hundred years ago the study of butterflies was sufficient
for an amateur.  Amateur: Personne qui aime, cultive, recherche.  A French
word that means someone who loves, cultivates, studies.  Today, an amateur
most not only study, but also protect.

When Martin Luther translated the Bible from Latin to the vernacular, he
consciously broke the monopoly on sacred understanding by a self-indulgent
elite and spread to all those who wanted learn as well as feel.

If butterflies are to be protected from the ravages of what is so often
called progress, there must be a political will to do so.  Given that there
precious few dollars to be made in butterfly study.. or even in butterfly
"farming" I do not see those interested in butterflies being an economic
power capable of lobbying governments.  Increased legislation aimed at
protecting butterflies will only come from a mass constituent hammering on
the doors of elected power.  Hence, there is the pressing need for those who
study Lepidoptera to become inclusive in attitude and not a self-indulgent
elite.  They do not have economic power.  They must reach out to as many
people as possible.  They must decrease impediments to learning and
appreciation.  Agreed upon names in the vernacular have a place beside the
more exacting Latinized script.

Martin Bailey,

cmbb at sk.sympatico.ca
phone/fax   306 842-8936

102   1833 Coteau Avenue,
Weyburn, SK., Canada.
S4H 2X3




 
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