Pronunciation of botanical names
J.E. Shields (Sun, 08 Dec 2002 05:13:44 PST)

Hi Mary and all,

Along this line, Sir Peter Smithers says that botanical Latin is a written,
not a spoken language! In any case, beyond Den's point of the differences
between British English and American English pronounciations, think of the
French and the German pronounciations! (We won't mention Aussie accents here.)

Don't let smart-assed know-it-alls dictate to you how to pronounce
scientific names in Latin! I had three years of (classical) Latin in high
school, 50 years ago. In the occasional instances where I can remember the
Classical Latin pronounciation, I use that. Most folks around the USA
anglicize the Latin names. Who cares? It only matters that you be able to
communicate to your listener what you are talking about.

Follow Sir Peter's stand. Don't be bullied!

Best wishes,
Jim Shields
in central Indiana, where we say it in Hoosier (pronounce that right if you
can!)

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. +1-317-896-3925
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