Poll: Japanese Terms, How useful?

Glider

That's true, but English already has a well established nomenclature (much of it based on the same origins as that used in medicine). E.g. 'Ramify' from the Latin 'Ramificare' (from Ramus = branch and -ficare (compound) = 'to make').

So the question is, given we already have names for the parts and processes in English (though I acknowledge there are many more languages in the world of bonsai), is it necessary or helpful for English speakers to use Japanese terminology as well?

You're right, but is it necessary or helpful, or does it add an unnecessary layer of complexity?

In anatomy, a well established and universal nomenclature means that all anatomists can talk about the same things and understand each other.

In bonsai, if you have some people using Japanese terminology and others using English, universal understanding is difficult. I guess that's a good argument for choosing one or the other, but where to draw the line?

Should it be just certain nouns; e.g. jin, although we'd still call a living branch 'a branch'? Or should we include all terms for trees and parts thereof?

Then there are verbs to describe the processes of bonsai to consider. I think words like 'jinning' are odd. That converts a Japanese noun to a verb resulting in a hybrid. Nipponglish?

I propose Nipponglish as the universal language of Bonsai!

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