Hi,
Sorry for asking this question again, I need to make sure that I asked it correctly.
Let's imagine there are some characteristics which can be found, for example, in birds, monkeys, and humans.
Is it possible to use the term "within-species similarities" for them? Or "among-species similarities" is currect?
Does not "within-species similarities" mean that there are some features that can be found in members of only one species?
Thanks
PS: Explore free learning materials for English: Learning: Linking with And But So — Mass noun — Grammar Gaffes (mistakes, errors) — As, because, since and for
- mmajid
September 2019
DAI RISPOSTE
![]() | exRangerSeptember 2019 One more thing to remember: "Cross-species", in Brit & American & Aussie English, also means "within-species cross breeding", i.e., deliberate mixing of two or more distinct species -- e.g., horse and donkey -- to form a "new" species, in this instance The Mule. DO NOT confuse "Across-Species" and "Cross-Species" or you will never properly distinguish these the exact, correct meanings of these terms. And one more piece ofsadvice: DO NOt ACCEPT as "hoyle" (means "definitively accurate") definitions/interpretations of English from persons who are not only native English speakers, but HIGH-LEVEL native English speakers. Many (many) Americans (and Brits & Aussies, etc.), while they might be "native" speakers, have an abysmal grasp/command of their native language -- its grammar, spelling rules, usage rules in general. We have an old saying: Q: How can you tell if someone is an American? A: They can speak two languages: English and bad English. Get the point? -exRanger |
mmajidOctober 2019 Hi HyaSky, it’s so nice to have a native speaker who is a biologist, here. I am an evolutionary psychologist.
I just searched in Google scholar’s articles and found out that both of them (i.e., cross and across) have been used frequently. But “cross-species” seems to be used much more frequently.
I found these examples (both these works are very reliable):
“Morton [1977] conducted a survey of the literature on the vocalizations of 28 avian and 28
mammalian species and discovered remarkable cross-species similarities in the acoustic
form of those sounds used in face-to-face competitive encounters …” (Ohala, J. J. (1983). Cross-language use of pitch: an ethological view. Phonetica, 40(1), 1-18.)
“Given these across- species similarities in neurobehavioral features of adolescence,
the question arises whether nonhuman animals undergoing this developmental
transi- tion can be used as models of human adolescence …” (Spear, L. (2000). Modeling adolescent development and alcohol. Alcohol Research & Health, 24, 115-123.)
Once again, thank you both for your help and the great discussion,
HyaSkyOctober 2019 That's nice. As someone who was educated in Biology and Horticulture in US academic institutions, I will say that on a university level, "cross-species" appears throughout textbooks, while "across-species" never does. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with "across-species." Since it seems like we're the only two native English speakers who regularly use this site right now, it's good that you can give a British perspective, and I can give an American one. That lets people have a more worldly grasp.
Anyway, I think from now on I'll just use "interspecies/intraspecies". That way, we can avoid ambiguity.
exRangerOctober 2019 I can guarantee they will. Incicdentally, I have been "an American" a whole lot longer than you, missy: born in New England, not England. Yo.
HyaSkySeptember 2019 Could someone please ring Mrs. Bouquet on her pearl white slim-line telephone with last number redial? We need an expert opinion from a woman from the West Midlands of superior social standing.
HyaSkySeptember 2019 In that case, why not just use "intraspecies" and "interspecies"? It is not common, but it removes the ambiguity about whether it's "within" or "across".
I think we have perfectly lovely English in the United States, although learning British English on top of American English is helpful as well. I can almost guarantee that one will never see "across-species" in the United States.
![]() | exRangerSeptember 2019 1. "Does not "within-species similarities" mean that there are some features that can be found in members of only one species?" -- YES, and thus is not applicable nor is it correct in representing the meaning you are trying to convey. 2. "Among-species" is nearly a meaningless phrase in English, but were it to be validated, it, too, is more in the vein of "Within-species" concept than what you are trying to achieve, which is a phrase / term that defines similarities in different species. To represent this concept you need... 3. "Across-species" (or, also correct, "Cross-species"): this/these are the phrases that convey, accurately, the concept you seek to communicate, @ least according to your question (as worded) above. - exRanger |
exRangerSeptember 2019 In British English you will mostldefinitely see "Across-Species". Period.