LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 24:2 February 2024
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

Celebrate India!
Unity in Diversity!!

HOME PAGE

Click Here for Back Issues of Language in India - From 2001

Poetic Encounter
Available in https://www.amazon.in/dp/B09TT86S4T

Poems
Naked: the honest browsings of two brown women
Available in https://www.amazon.in

Decrees
Available in https://www.amazon.com

BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ AND DOWNLOAD FREE!

REFERENCE MATERIALS

BACK ISSUES

  • E-mail your articles and book-length reports in Microsoft Word to languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.

  • PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES GIVEN IN HOME PAGE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIST OF CONTENTS.

  • Your articles and book-length reports should be written following the APA, MLA, LSA, or IJDL Stylesheet.

  • The Editorial Board has the right to accept, reject, or suggest modifications to the articles submitted for publication, and to make suitable stylistic adjustments. High quality, academic integrity, ethics and morals are expected from the authors and discussants.

Copyright © 2024
M. S. Thirumalai

Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
11249 Oregon Circle
Bloomington, MN 55438
USA
Custom Search

Exploring Botanical Nomenclature in Tamil Culture:
Linguistic Insights into Plant Names

Dr. Subramanian Alagappan, Ph.D.

Abstract

This research delves into the intricate world of botanical nomenclature within Tamil culture, shedding light on the linguistic transparency and cultural significance embedded within plant names. Through an analysis of five diverse plant species, this study explores the factors contributing to the naming of plants and the transparency of these names in the Tamil language. Each plant's name reflects not only its physical attributes but also its cultural context, highlighting the rich tapestry of traditions and observations woven into Tamil botanical terminology. The transparency of plant names in Tamil is a remarkable feature that facilitates communication and understanding among speakers. These names often provide vivid descriptions of the plants, allowing individuals to easily identify and recognize them in their natural environment. Through linguistic analysis and cultural interpretation, this research provides valuable insights into the intricate relationship between language, culture, and nature in the Tamil-speaking regions.

Keywords: Tamil Botanical nomenclature - linguistic transparency - culture impact

1.0 Introduction

Botanical nomenclature is not merely a system of assigning names to plant species; it is a reflection of the intricate relationship between human societies and the natural world. The relationship is vividly expressed in the rich tapestry of Tamil culture, where plant names are imbued with layers of linguistic nuance, cultural significance, and ecological insight. In this article, we embark on a journey through the verdant landscape of Tamil Nadu, exploring the linguistic insights and cultural revelations embedded within the names of five distinct plant species

Each of these plants not only holds botanical significance but also serves as a window into the rich tapestry of Tamil heritage, where names are crafted with precision to reflect the plant's characteristics, habitat, and traditional uses. Through a comprehensive analysis of these plant names, we aim to unravel the linguistic and cultural intricacies that shape Tamil botanical terminology, providing valuable insights into the dynamic interplay between language, culture, and biodiversity in the Tamil-speaking regions. This article delves into the fascinating world of Tamil botanical nomenclature, where every plant name tells a story steeped in tradition, observation, and reverence for the natural world.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr. Subramanian Alagappan, Ph.D.
Senior Fellow (ICSSR)
Department of Linguistics
School of Linguistics and Communication
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021
Tamilnadu, India
suloog@yahoo.com
Custom Search
  • Click Here to Go to Creative Writing Section

  • Send your articles
    as an attachment
    to your e-mail to
    languageinindiaUSA@gmail.com.
  • Please ensure that your name, academic degrees, institutional affiliation and institutional address, and your e-mail address are all given in the first page of your article. Also include a declaration that your article or work submitted for publication in LANGUAGE IN INDIA is an original work by you and that you have duly acknowledged the work or works of others you used in writing your articles, etc. Remember that by maintaining academic integrity we not only do the right thing but also help the growth, development and recognition of Indian/South Asian scholarship.