News and Perspectives: Words matter in primatology

Bezanson, Michelle; Cortés-Ortiz, Liliana; Bicca-Marques, Júlio César; Boonratana, Ramesh; Carvalho, Susana; Cords, Marina; de la Torre, Stella; Hobaiter, Catherine; Humle, Tatyana; Izar, Patrícia; Lynch, Jessica W.; Matsuzawa, Tetsuro; Setchell, Joanna M.; Zikusoka, Gladys Kalema; Strier, Karen B.

Abstract

Postings on social media on Twitter (now X), BioAnthropology News (Facebook), and other venues, as well as recent publications in prominent journals, show that primatologists, ecologists, and other researchers are questioning the terms “Old World” and “New World” due to their colonial implications and history. The terms are offensive if they result in erasing Indigenous voices and history, ignoring the fact that Indigenous peoples were in the Americas long before European colonization. Language use is not without context, but alternative terminology is not always obvious and available. In this perspective, we share opinions expressed by an international group of primatologists who considered questions about the use of these terms, whether primatologists should adjust language use, and how to move forward. The diversity of opinions provides insight into how conventional terms used in primatological research and conservation may impact our effectiveness in these domains.

Citation

Bezanson, M., Cortés-Ortiz, L., Bicca-Marques, J. C., Boonratana, R., Carvalho, S., Cords, M., de la Torre, S., Hobaiter, C., Humle, T., Izar, P., Lynch, J. W., Matsuzawa, T., Setchell, J. M., Zikusoka, G. K., & Strier, K. B. (2024). News and Perspectives: Words matter in primatology. Primates, 65, 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-023-01104-6

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 30, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-01
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Journal: Primates
• Print ISSN: 0032-8332
• Electronic ISSN: 1610-7365
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 65
• Pages: 33–39
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-023-01104-6
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2023733