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A fascinating account of the development of scientific terminology and the systematic approach to classification and measurement in the 18th century.
Where do scientific terms come from? Why are they so similar in so many languages? How was the new nomenclature spread across the world? The Language of Science analyses the development of scientific vocabulary from its basic origins in everyday agricultural work, through to the need for a measurement system when it came to trading, to the scientific innovations of the seventeenth century and a subsequent period of consolidation in the eighteenth century. This is a period of great relevance in history of science and a strong focus of Crosland's work. The time between 1750 and 1800 saw many movements trying to organise and revolutionise scientific names and units the significance of which is often overlooked. Crosland talks here about the development of language in botany, chemistry and the metric system, drawing a connection between the three fields and the development of the sciences in general. The final chapter pays close attention to how the international conferences helped in the adoption and standardisation of the new language. Crosland's approach to the subject matter is very clear and concise. The Language of Science will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about history of language, social history and of course science. The author popularises an often intimidating and complex segment of the English language. Scientists and non-scientists alike will find this book stimulating and thought-provoking. Aimed at anyone interested in Popular Science, this book is a stimulating introduction to the development of Scientific Language and offers a historical overview of the progress of standardisation of the Sciences.
Where do scientific terms come from? Why are they so similar in so many languages? How was the new nomenclature spread across the world? The Language of Science analyses the development of scientific vocabulary from its basic origins in everyday agricultural work, through to the need for a measurement system when it came to trading, to the scientific innovations of the seventeenth century and a subsequent period of consolidation in the eighteenth century. This is a period of great relevance in history of science and a strong focus of Crosland's work. The time between 1750 and 1800 saw many movements trying to organise and revolutionise scientific names and units the significance of which is often overlooked. Crosland talks here about the development of language in botany, chemistry and the metric system, drawing a connection between the three fields and the development of the sciences in general. The final chapter pays close attention to how the international conferences helped in the adoption and standardisation of the new language. Crosland's approach to the subject matter is very clear and concise. The Language of Science will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about history of language, social history and of course science. The author popularises an often intimidating and complex segment of the English language. Scientists and non-scientists alike will find this book stimulating and thought-provoking. Aimed at anyone interested in Popular Science, this book is a stimulating introduction to the development of Scientific Language and offers a historical overview of the progress of standardisation of the Sciences.
Price: $24.95
Pages: 128
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: Lutterworth Press
Publication Date:
01 October 2006
Trim Size: 7.80 X 5.08 in
ISBN: 9780718830601
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
SCIENCE / General, Science: general issues
In The Language of Science, Maurice Crosland condenses ,many decades of distinguished scholarship into a brief survey recounting how subjective descriptions were converted into abstract labels.
— Patricia Fara
— Patricia Fara
Preface
Introduction
1. The Language of Science in the Eighteenth Century
The need for a specific language of science. A connected series of developments. The eighteenth century. The language of science. From the vernacular to the technical.
2. The Language of Botany
The beginnings of botany. Herbals. Common names for plants. Latin names. Predecessors of Linnaeus. The botanical nomenclature of Linnaeus. After Linnaeus.
3. The Language of Chemistry
Chemistry before Lavoisier. Old names and the beginning of reform. Lavoisier and the ‘chemical revolution’. The influence of Condillac on Lavoisier. The Method of chemical nomenclature. Acceptance of the new names.
4. The Metric System
Old measures. Early stages of reform. The Commission of weights and measures. Explaining the metric system to the public. Decimalisation. Adoption of the metric system.
5. International Scientific Conferences
The problem of international authority. The Metric Conference of 1798. From international co-operation to conferences. The Karlsruhe Congress. Other international conferences.
Further Reading
Index
Introduction
1. The Language of Science in the Eighteenth Century
The need for a specific language of science. A connected series of developments. The eighteenth century. The language of science. From the vernacular to the technical.
2. The Language of Botany
The beginnings of botany. Herbals. Common names for plants. Latin names. Predecessors of Linnaeus. The botanical nomenclature of Linnaeus. After Linnaeus.
3. The Language of Chemistry
Chemistry before Lavoisier. Old names and the beginning of reform. Lavoisier and the ‘chemical revolution’. The influence of Condillac on Lavoisier. The Method of chemical nomenclature. Acceptance of the new names.
4. The Metric System
Old measures. Early stages of reform. The Commission of weights and measures. Explaining the metric system to the public. Decimalisation. Adoption of the metric system.
5. International Scientific Conferences
The problem of international authority. The Metric Conference of 1798. From international co-operation to conferences. The Karlsruhe Congress. Other international conferences.
Further Reading
Index