bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - North Carolina Arboretum's Bonsai Garden

I don't think the name is much of an obstacle, either, if you follow the Japanese model. They adapt English terms all the time. Particularly in the last 30 years or so.

For what it's worth, I think "bonsai" has become "Anglified," or even "globalized" as a term. Everyone recognizes it. Inventing a new term would confuse things and, I think, is unnecessary. The term is already part of the American, European, or whatever country's vernacular.

The single term may even be a plus, as it's the same word and carries much the same meaning the world over. The word "bonsai" here in the U.S., is the basically same thing when used in Italy, U.K. Germany, wherever. If we invent a new name here in the U.S., like "plant art" you can bet no one else will know what we're talking about, or it will be completely misinterpreted.

15-Jun-2005	#14
rockm bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Oct-2003 Location: Fairfax, Va Country: USA USDA Zone: 7 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 4,561	I don't think the name is much of an obstacle, either, if you follow the Japanese model. They adapt English terms all the time. Particularly in the last 30 years or so. For what it's worth, I think "bonsai" has become "Anglified," or even "globalized" as a term. Everyone recognizes it. Inventing a new term would confuse things and, I think, is unnecessary. The term is already part of the American, European, or whatever country's vernacular. The single term may even be a plus, as it's the same word and carries much the same meaning the world over. The word "bonsai" here in the U.S., is the basically same thing when used in Italy, U.K. Germany, wherever. If we invent a new name here in the U.S., like "plant art" you can bet no one else will know what we're talking about, or it will be completely misinterpreted.