Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature

Abstract In this paper, we brought compelling clarities as to why the current practices of binomial nomenclature should be revised and adjusted by the scientific governing bodies. We highlighted the current emphasis on Latinisation and Greek forms for scientific names has given fewer possibilities f...

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Main Authors: Paul Rummy, Jessica Thevamalar Rummy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2021-11-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00975-8
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author Paul Rummy
Jessica Thevamalar Rummy
author_facet Paul Rummy
Jessica Thevamalar Rummy
author_sort Paul Rummy
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this paper, we brought compelling clarities as to why the current practices of binomial nomenclature should be revised and adjusted by the scientific governing bodies. We highlighted the current emphasis on Latinisation and Greek forms for scientific names has given fewer possibilities for the inclusion of cultural and native scientific names. With regard to zoological matters, we further pointed out that the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) has an obligation to rationalise the applicability and suitability of the existing Articles and Recommendations in the Code. The Code has been designed to assist scientists in naming an organism with its guidelines. However, the practicality of the Articles and Recommendations need to be further explained in order to reduce several misperceptions within the scientific community; which include the correct usage of Latinised and Greek language forms that can be quite confusing to those who are not well-versed in the structures. The discussion also underlined the novelty of having more localised and hybridised scientific names, and the necessity to avoid norms of abusive, offensive and colonising names since the Code did not emphasise enough on the level of integrity needed with the naming procedures. We further illustrated the magnitude of having a gender-neutral naming system in the world of nomenclature, as the current practices of Latinised and Greek forms are heavily navigated towards masculine naming styles. We also suggest that the non-compulsory Recommendation section of the Code to be made relevant, and perhaps mandatory in some cases, with an infinite approach to accentuate beyond inclusivity and diversity.
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spelling doaj.art-53f5f95271a34ee7afdaa4c390d15b732022-12-21T20:37:48ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922021-11-01811610.1057/s41599-021-00975-8Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclaturePaul Rummy0Jessica Thevamalar Rummy1Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesElintist Arc Research ConsultancyAbstract In this paper, we brought compelling clarities as to why the current practices of binomial nomenclature should be revised and adjusted by the scientific governing bodies. We highlighted the current emphasis on Latinisation and Greek forms for scientific names has given fewer possibilities for the inclusion of cultural and native scientific names. With regard to zoological matters, we further pointed out that the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) has an obligation to rationalise the applicability and suitability of the existing Articles and Recommendations in the Code. The Code has been designed to assist scientists in naming an organism with its guidelines. However, the practicality of the Articles and Recommendations need to be further explained in order to reduce several misperceptions within the scientific community; which include the correct usage of Latinised and Greek language forms that can be quite confusing to those who are not well-versed in the structures. The discussion also underlined the novelty of having more localised and hybridised scientific names, and the necessity to avoid norms of abusive, offensive and colonising names since the Code did not emphasise enough on the level of integrity needed with the naming procedures. We further illustrated the magnitude of having a gender-neutral naming system in the world of nomenclature, as the current practices of Latinised and Greek forms are heavily navigated towards masculine naming styles. We also suggest that the non-compulsory Recommendation section of the Code to be made relevant, and perhaps mandatory in some cases, with an infinite approach to accentuate beyond inclusivity and diversity.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00975-8
spellingShingle Paul Rummy
Jessica Thevamalar Rummy
Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
title_full Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
title_fullStr Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
title_full_unstemmed Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
title_short Recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
title_sort recontextualising the style of naming in nomenclature
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00975-8
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