Ecolog: Relatively recently there was a discussion about the origins of the word "landscape" and its various forms. Different sources gave different etymologies. I wrote to Douglas Harper of etymonline.com to determine whether or not the Indo-European root "skep" was still considered valid. Harper's response and our brief correspondence is pasted below for information, with his permission. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_Etymology_Dictionary provides further information about the site.
This is provided for information only, not to belabor the discussion about the
semantics of current usage.
WT
PS: Here is the entry upon which some apparently relied:
landscape
c.1600, "painting representing natural scenery," from Du. landschap, from M.Du.
landscap "region," from land "land" (see land) + -scap "-ship, condition" (see
-ship). Originally introduced as a painters' term. O.E. had cognate landscipe.
Meaning "tract of land with its distinguishing characteristics" is from 1886.
The verb meaning "to lay out lawns, gardens, etc., plant trees for the sake of
beautification" is first recorded 1927, from the noun. Related: Landscaped;
landscaping.
Apparently, Harper intends to add the information related to "skep" in the near
future; it appears that both etymologies were "correct." I presume that
Harper's careful scholarship (from "scap?") will bring the issue, if there is
one, into clearer focus for us all. While I fully expect (and even accept
without protest) that "landscape ecology" will continue to be used, I continue
to find it amusingly ironic that a term connected with scraping the land of
self-sufficient ecosystems and replacing it with plants preferred by human
cultures is considered the most appropriate appellation. At another level it is
interesting to note that culture (custom) prevails, even over the culture of
origin's definition did not. Perhaps there is hope that the historical heretics
will prevail in, say, forty years or so.
----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Harper
To: Wayne Tyson
Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2010 12:47 AM
Subject: Re: Etymology Landscape
sure, have fun with it. Just ask them to be patient. I know how those
debates can get.
--- On Sun, 5/16/10, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Etymology Landscape
To: "Doug Harper" <[email protected]>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 2:23 AM
Hon. Doug Harper:
Here's to a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooog life, and a happy one for
you!
With your permission, I will post this reply to a listserv (Ecolog-l,
the listserv of the Ecological Society of America), for information. It was the
subject of a recent debate.
WT
PS: I wish you much success with your website.
----- Original Message -----
From: Doug Harper
To: Wayne Tyson
Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2010 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: Etymology Landscape
Yes, thank you I will add that. The first job was to get
something basic and complete, the next ten years will be devoted to fleshing it
out, if I live that long.
--- On Tue, 5/11/10, Wayne Tyson <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Wayne Tyson <[email protected]>
Subject: Etymology Landscape
To: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 9:21 PM
Thank you for this valuable resource; your contribution to
the improvement of the understanding of the English language is inestimable.
If I may suggest, you might want to consider the
Indo-European root "skep," as cited ("to cut, to hack") in the American
Heritage Dictionary, for your entry under "landscape," "landscaping," and words
derived therefrom.
Please advise if said citation is in error.
Respectfully submitted,
Wayne Tyson
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