Latin publication

[Mark Garland]

Richard Jensen wrote:

>  For most scientific writing, we adopt a set of standards that all must
>  adhere to.  We all use base 10 counting systems, we all use the metric
>  system for reporting various measurements, etc.  Why should we not have
>  a single acceptable language (and why not Latin) for publication of
>  scientific names?

Why not Latin?  Mainly because plant taxonomists have ceased to communicate
effectively in this language.  See Joseph Laferriere's point about the very
short Latin diagnoses that are now so common.

There seems to be an assumption that plant taxonomists form a linguistic
community held together by Latin (I think Stearn says this in Botanical
Latin).  If they did once, they don't now.  And they *will* find a way to
communicate their discoveries if they use modern languages.  I don't even
think you will have to mandate any particular language.  I'll just point to
zoology again.  Are zoological taxonomists lost in a Babel of incomprehension?
(While plant taxonomists are in some sort of original state of grace, I
guess.)

Without Latin descriptions, will taxonomists still need to know Latin?  Yes,
if they want to read the older literature.  They just won't have to worry
about writing it.

Mark A. Garland
Florida Department of Environmental Protection