[leps-talk] English has become the lingua franca

[Chris J. Durden]

At 09:06 AM 5/9/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>Chris read my post.  I did not say that that scientific names should not
>change!!  I have said a hundred times on this list that they should be
>changing that that reflects new knowledge and I hope they change frequently.

I know - you said that common names should not change. I agree with you - 
if the common name is long established and firmly entrenched in Natural 
History. If not it should change to reflect the advances in knowledge. I 
grew up learning Sparrow Hawks and Pigeon Hawks, not American Kestrels = 
*Falco sparverius* and Merlins = *Falco columbarius*. That name change was 
just a power play that suppressed provincial regional usage (farmers lore) 
in favor of historic intellectual usage (the language of Shakespeare).

>I have also said that field identifiable forms do not change their looks
>just because the taxonomy changes.

I agree.

>The common butterfly name can stay the
>same (unless of course it is split)  But renaming genera does not nave to
>affect common names.  Finding out that there is a more appropriate name for
>a species or subspecies by the rules or by historical use does not have to
>change the common name.

But it has in birds. I know what a Chestnut-sided Towhee is but I have to 
look up an Eastern Towhee.

>   All of these changes in the scientific names are
>good.

Yes, and the common names should keep up too. I know what a Baltimore 
Oriole is (I mounted a specimen in my youth) but I have to look up a 
Northern Oriole. Thank goodness the Baltimore (Oriole, not Checkerspot) is 
back with the orange and black patches of Lord Baltimore's heraldic crest.
.............Chris


>Barb



 
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