[Lexicog] Detailed scientific/cultural information in dictionaries

[William J Poser]

John Koontz' comments on the difficulties of obtaining precise
identifications of biological organisms are well taken. I have found
that it is not hard to deal with mammals since both I and my informants
are sufficiently acquainted with them, but for other organisms difficulties
arise. It is very dangerous to rely on translation - at a minimum
photographs and drawings should be used, but actual specimens are best.
Ideally, one should work with a professional ethnobiologist. Such a person
will not only have a more detailed knowledge of the organisms than most
of us do, but he or she will know what is likely to be confused with what
and is likely to have access to useful tools like collections of bird skins.
--
Bill Poser, Linguistics, University of Pennsylvania
http://www.ling.upenn.edu/~wjposer/ billposer at alum.mit.edu



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