Plants were given Latin names because it is a

Options

A. simple language
B. common language
C. dead language
D. none of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Origin of Latin Names:**
- The practice of giving plants Latin names was initiated by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who is known as the father of modern taxonomy and nomenclature.

2. **Reason for Choosing Latin:**
- Latin and Greek were widely used languages during Linnaeus's time, making them suitable for scientific naming. The use of these languages allowed for a common understanding among scholars across different regions.

3. **Characteristics of Latin:**
- Latin is considered a "dead language," meaning it is no longer spoken as a native language. This characteristic ensures that the meanings of the names remain stable and do not change over time.

4. **Stability of Nomenclature:**
- Since Latin is not evolving and is not subject to change like living languages, the names assigned to plants and organisms will remain consistent. This prevents confusion that might arise from changing names in other languages over time.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, plants were given Latin names primarily because Latin was a common scholarly language during Linnaeus's time and its status as a dead language ensures that the names remain unchanged.

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