On taxonomies (in linguistics and ornithology).

This article examines the central role and evolving challenges of taxonomies—the systematic classification of discrete units—in both applied linguistics and scientific ornithology. It highlights parallels between these fields, noting that both face difficulties in defining their fundamental units (such as languages or bird species) due to new evidence and shifting intellectual perspectives, including genetic research in ornithology and sociolinguistic developments in linguistics. The article distinguishes between constructive revisions of taxonomies based on emerging data and broader ideological critiques that question the validity of taxonomic thinking itself, often linked to critiques of Enlightenment universalism. Ultimately, it argues that despite their limitations and the need for continual adaptation, taxonomies remain essential tools for organizing knowledge and informing urgent policy decisions amid contemporary political, social, and environmental challenges.