A purely semantic question about the phrase "collection"
- Thread starter Dan
- Start date
I understand the hesitancy to want to think of people "possessing" other living beings, but no matter how you try to sugar-coat it. That's what it is. We also possess cattle, poultry, etc... I know there are varying views on this, but I have zero problem with referring to the animals in the zoo as a collection. Quite simply, that is exactly what they are.
Like most people here I don't have a problem with the word collection, i'm sure itcomes from a time when animals were collected, when zoos tried to gather as many rare creatures as possible, but I think the term has now outgrown this literal definition.
As an alternative (not that I need one) I think something like 'species list' can sometimes suffice, in any case where 'collection' refers to the animals kept. So when people say something like, "The zoo is ok, it's got a good collection but some of the enclosures are quite old." You could instead say "The zoo is ok, it's got a good species list but some of the enclosures are quite old." Just a thought.
As an alternative (not that I need one) I think something like 'species list' can sometimes suffice, in any case where 'collection' refers to the animals kept. So when people say something like, "The zoo is ok, it's got a good collection but some of the enclosures are quite old." You could instead say "The zoo is ok, it's got a good species list but some of the enclosures are quite old." Just a thought.
Panthera Puss
Well-Known Member
To my ears 'collection' would also have a slightly outdated tone when talking about animals, but I'm not sure what the alternative would be. 'Group' perhaps in certain circumstances. The idea of a 'collection' can summon up something sinister and obsessive, especially if it's a private one, from the dark days of animal menageries. But, I'm more sensitive than most as language is my thing, and as always the key is in the context in which a word is used.
Not wanting to make a mountain out of this debate...
A 'species list' wouldn't work if you are referring to the entire number of individuals in addition to the species. Personally i don't have a problem with the use of 'collection', and do use it. As has been mentioned I refer to collections because they include zoos, rehab centres, private animals, farms, museums etc as a catch-all. Not sure why people have a problem because it might sound 'outdated' - it is just a very useful term.
Meaghan Edwards
Well-Known Member
I find myself using "our animals" with regards to the zoo animals here, like the SPCA here does.
Yes, I guess that's right. The word collection actually has a few different levels of meaning, whether the species kept, the individuals kept, or even the institution itself. I think people will have to keep using the word, because no other word does the job as well.