Comments on: Scientific Nomenclature… Why Speak Latin?

By: jmaneyapanda

jmaneyapanda — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:46:19 +0000

I use the same. Remember, all vowels are pronounced!

By: jmaneyapanda

jmaneyapanda — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 23:46:00 +0000

I use the same. Remember, all vowels are pronounced!

By: eric michael

eric michael — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:36:42 +0000

@Pickle, go with what you believe is correct and say it with confidence. This is a hobby about sharing information. If someone makes an effort to use scientific names, that's great.

@ Matt, I use the same pronunciation as well, but often hear Sen-tro-peej

Here are some more musings on the subject. [Disclosure: I often slept during Latin class].
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/pronouncing-sci...

By: Mysterybox

Mysterybox — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:50:23 +0000

@Mwandell

actually, Latin is spoken all the time, lol.

By: Mwandell

Mwandell — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:33:28 +0000

@pickle, every time I've heard that explained is that there isn't a “correct” pronunciation for Latin because it's not a spoken language anymore. I say “Sen-trow-pie-jee”, but that's just me.

The one rule that I've heard of is that species named after a person should be pronounced exactly as you would normally say the proper name with the “i” or “ae” at the end pronounced separately. So, Centropyge boylei should be pronounced “Boyle-aye”, NOT “Boy-lee-aye”, which I sometimes hear…

By: pickle

pickle — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:23:49 +0000

I don't mind and in fact appreciate binomial nomenclature. What I do find annoying is when these names are used in non-scientific reference or hobbyist materials without a phonetic spelling next to them. I know there are some general rules (“Ch” at the beginning is pronounced as a “K”), but I have been keeping reef tanks for 6 years but still have no idea how to correctly pronounce “Centropyge.”

By: RR37

RR37 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:45:07 +0000

I was going to say it was invalidated by the ICZN… Rats.

By: Macko

Macko — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:55:33 +0000

Sorry to say, but Zienkowiczikytodermogammarus zienkowiczi isn't scientific name any more – it was cancelled by International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature some time ago