Relationships between Etnobiooogical Classification ando Lingüistics

Abstract

This study explores folk phytotaxonomies of Tzeltal (Mexico), Toba and Maká (Argentina) to recognize the principles of ethnobiological classification and the linguistic resources used. aiming to identify the principles of ethnobiological classification and the linguistic tools employed. The languages under study, which belong to the Mayan, Guaycurú, and Mataguaya language families, exhibit classification systems that differentiate and categorize organisms at varying levels of inclusivity. All three languages utilize semantic dimensions in the creation of specific names. Despite the differences in linguistic tools, there are commonalities in the classification methods, indicating that ethnobotanical nomenclatures mirror the way speakers cognitively organize botanical diversity. These linguistic adaptations to particular environmental conditions and the cognitive processes that underpin them provide insight into the intersection of language, culture, and environment. While this research builds upon previous fieldwork, it underscores the need for additional studies that take into account the impact of linguistic and cultural contact, as well as adaptation to contemporary environmental and social challenges.