Do we understand each other when we are talking?

[Jan Bosselaers]

Vr. Richard Bejsak-Colloredo-Mansfeld wrote:

> I like to know why English speaking countries has different pronunciation of
> Latin names...  Do we understand each other when we talking on congresses?
> What is correct?
> Is there any entomology book / handbook/ encyclopaedia with pronunciation?

Not exactly an entomology book, but an invaluable resource is William Stearn's
"Botanical Latin" (David & Charles, 1996). On pages 51-54 he gives a clear
overview of the differences between the "traditional English" and the "reformed
academic" pronunciation of Latin. Also interesting is John Henry Comstock's "The
Spider Book" (Cornell University Press, 1967). It does not give pronunciation
rules, but indicates the stress for every name. That is also useful, since most
people tend to put the stress on the wrong syllables, at least over here in
Belgium. And no Romans around anymore to correct us.

Regards,

Jan
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Dr. Jan Bosselaers
"Dochterland", R. novarumlaan 2
B-2340 Beerse, Belgium               tel / fax 32-14-615896
home: dochterland at pandora.be  /  hortipes at dochterland.org
work: jbossela at janbe.jnj.com
web: http://www.dochterland.org/ or http://wyith.ch/home/dochterland.org/

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