Here's why:
* Historical Significance: Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, used Latin as the standard language for naming organisms in the 18th century. This was because Latin was the common language of scholarship at the time, making it universally understood by scientists across Europe.
* Stability and Precision: Latin is a dead language, meaning it doesn't evolve or change. This ensures that scientific names remain stable and unambiguous, unlike spoken languages which are subject to constant change.
* Internationality: Latin is not tied to any specific geographic region or culture, making it a neutral language for scientific communication.
While Latin is the basis, names are often Latinized versions of Greek words. For example, the genus name *Homo* (humans) is Latin, but the species name *sapiens* is derived from the Greek word for "wise."
Therefore, even though Latin is the core language, names are often a mix of Latin and Latinized Greek.