Sj

For faster response, please leave me a note on meta. Sj 07:19, 21 June 2006 (UTC)

languages and taxonomy

Not that you're likely to see this, but I saw your discussion about other languages on the Village Pump back in 2004. I don't think you were being given accurate information regarding language use in taxonomy. Taxonomy is not required to done in English. Obviously, the name itself is Latin derived, and must be written in Latin script. In describing a species, botanists are required to give certain information in Latin, but can give other info in their native script and language. For zoologists, anything besides the name itself can be in any language and script. English is certain the most commonly used language in taxonomic publications, and many non-Anglophone taxonomists will choose to publish in English to appeal to a wider audience, but English usage is by no means required. AndrewT 21:05, 6 March 2008 (UTC)

Thank you, Andrew. You were not the only person to make this comment; and it's good to see other languages coming slowly to the wiki. I know that a lack of language bias is a point that would set Wikispecies aside from the other global projects. Sj 08:23, 1 August 2009 (UTC)