The semantic motivation of common names of wild mushrooms in English

Abstract

This paper explores the semantic motivation behind the common names of wild mushrooms in English, focusing on how these names reflect cultural attitudes and ecological knowledge. Using data from the Galloway Wild Foods blog, the study categorizes mushroom names based on extra-linguistic features such as their colour, shape, and habitat. The findings illustrate how naming practices reveal human perception of the natural world and the complex network of relationships between humans and other-than-human entities. By analyzing the linguistic and cognitive processes behind mushroom naming, the paper contributes to understanding how language may influence environmental awareness and human-nature interactions. Ultimately, the paper sheds light on the extent of human agency on the environment, which is the hallmark of the Anthropocene.