Speaking of the Celtic music/Boston Celtics conundrum, it should be noted that we’re all just a word away from a pronunciation disaster. Here’s a great post from my guest, Billie Brownell …

The Cotoneaster Disaster, or Me Talk Latin One Day

When others in my high school class were studying Latin in order to become, oh, doctors or something, I studied French. Why French? I have no idea. But to this day, I can still read a French menu and tell you which dish is the horsemeat. This is not a skill to be undervalued.

Later, one of my first garden editing experiences was the privilege of working with Bruce and Sharon Asakawa—two of the kindest people you can ever hope to meet—on California Gardener’s Guide. I vividly recall the time they were visiting the office and I attempted to pronounce the genus Cotoneaster as we were reviewing photos. To my Latin-free-zone eyes and ears, it certainly looked as if it would be pronounced “cotton easter.”

It is not.

Bruce began a slow, low chuckle, which grew as he could not restrain his laughter, although he fought hard against it. Sharon joined in and, of course, so did I. It was really funny. After that, I made an effort to learn how to pronounce botanical Latin, and learn more about its meanings, but I have always been more than a little bit inhibited about pronouncing genus and species names. There are print dictionaries, but the online word pronunciations available on the dictionary websites have been a lifesaver.

When Cool Springs Press jumped into the app business, I proposed a botanical Latin app because I really needed and wanted it. Well, the wait is over. Within the next few months, Cool Springs Press will release a phone app titled Gardener’s Latin. It’s both an audio and phonetic pronunciation guide, with translations of Latin words that have specific meanings relating to the nature, habit, form, or color of a plant. It is tres cool.

Watch for Gardener’s Latin to be released soon. In the meantime, let us amuse ourselves: Do you have a story to share about pronouncing botanical Latin? (Oh, by the way, Cotoneaster is pronounced “koh-toh-nee-AS-ter.” It’s an easy mistake.)

* Used with permission. An editor at Cool Springs Press, Billie can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”