Universality: Latin was a widely understood language among scientists and scholars across Europe during Linnaeus' time. It had been the lingua franca of the scientific community for centuries, making it an ideal choice for communication and documentation.
Stability and Precision: Latin is a relatively stable language, meaning that its vocabulary and grammar have remained largely consistent over time. This stability was essential for scientific communication, as it ensured that the meanings of terms would not change over time and cause misunderstandings. Latin's precise and concise nature made it suitable for describing and classifying organisms.
Established Nomenclature: Many of the scientific terms and names used in natural history were already in Latin before Linnaeus' time. He built upon this existing foundation, Latinizing many more plant and animal names and creating a consistent system of binomial nomenclature. This ensured continuity with previous works and facilitated communication among scientists.
Education and Tradition: Latin was the language of academia and intellectual pursuits during Linnaeus' time. Scientists, scholars, and naturalists were proficient in Latin, making it the most accessible language for scientific discourse and publications.
Universal Acceptability: Using Latin allowed Linnaeus' works to reach a broad international audience. Scientists from different countries could understand Latin regardless of their native language, fostering international collaboration and the sharing of knowledge.
It is worth noting that Linnaeus' use of Latin was not without its limitations. Over time, as scientific knowledge expanded and new discoveries were made, the use of Latin became less practical. It was eventually replaced by more modern languages, particularly English, as the primary language of scientific communication. However, Linnaeus' choice of Latin laid a strong foundation for scientific taxonomy and nomenclature, and his contributions continue to shape the way we classify and understand the natural world.