Nature Journaling Multiple Languages: Challenge Day Eight

Have you ever nature journaled in multiple languages?

Today’s Prompt: Nature Journaling Multiple Languages

First of all you don’t have to be bilingual or polylingual to use multiple languages in your nature journal. As a matter of fact, you are probably already using multiple languages without realizing it. I use scientific names in my nature journal frequently. Do you? If so, you are using some Latin and Greek. The point that I am trying to make today is that each language has different strengths and weaknesses. If we use multiple languages in our nature journal we can capture more of the richness and diversity of the world.

How to Use Multiple Languages in Your Nature Journal Right Now

Here are some tips to help you get some of the benefits of multiple languages without getting intimidated.

1. First, look up different names for plants and animals. Are you nature journaling plants in your area? Do you know what the indigenous names for them are? What about the scientific names?
2. Second, nature journaling itself uses “three languages”. They are words, images, and numbers. Are you using all three?
3. Look up the names of exotic plants or animals in their native language. For example, you probably have plants in your yard that come from somewhere else in the world. What are they called in the language of that place?
4. What other languages do you have in your ancestry? Have you ever tried using any words from that language? Maybe you can look them up and incorporate some into your nature journal.

Want to se an interview with someone that nature journals in three languages?

You can see more of Mariia’s multiple language nature journaling on her website here.

Why Is Nature Journaling Content All In English?

Many nature journaling resources are only in English. Luckily, English is a fairly common language that people learn even if it is not their native tongue. It has become a sort of lingua franca. A lingua franca is a “common language” that helps people communicate across cultures. However, there are downsides.

1. First of all, a language has limits. Each language has a worldview and biases built into it. If nature journaling only exists in English it will be stuck within the confines of that language. These biases can be hard or impossible for the monolingual native speaker to see.
2. Second, your mother tongue is special. The language you learn from your mom will always have a special place in your brain and heart. For some people this might be the same language that you have to learn in school, and use to navigate the business and legal world. However, many people are forced to learn a different language (such as English) for school and work than what they speak at home. Even when fluent in this language it will never feel like the mother tongue.

How would it feel to only access nature journaling in a language that you associate with school, work, government, and American movies?
How might nature journaling in one's mother tongue influence the feeling and the connective potential of words?

1. Not everybody speaks English. The biggest downside of all nature journaling content being in English is that some people can not access it.
2. Finally, respect for place. You probably live somewhere that has been colonized. We all do. Therefore, using a language that has a longer connection to that place can be a way of showing respect and learning about another layer of the human nature interaction.

But what if I’m completely new to nature journaling?

Regardless of your experience, we got you right here. Below are links to some super resources for beginner nature journalers.

Are you just getting started with Nature Journaling?

Here are tips and motivation for beginners.

Need help choosing supplies?

Where is the 30 day challenge?

If you missed the beginning you can still jump in now. Here is the complete guide.

If you want a PDF for printing: 30 Day Challenge Wild Wonder Nature Journaling