Discusses linguistic influence on children's numerical development. Describes and reviews recent papers that address the relationship between number naming systems and children's numerical concepts. (Contains 20 references.) (ASK)

Discusses the effects of mathematical language on the teaching and learning of mathematics. Concludes that educators need to expend far greater effort to bring all students to a fuller understanding of, and appreciation for, the language of mathematics. Contains 18 references. (ASK)

Suggests that it is possible to apply the principles of literary criticism to the mathematical text. Discussed are the areas of rhetoric, metaphor, and metonymy. (PK)

Described are two kinds of mathematical communications. Discusses how language is used to communicate mathematics, especially as it relates to the triangle formed by writer, text, and reader. (PK)

A major component of student difficulty with algebra is the inability to make sense of the algebra symbol system as a language. Accordingly, remedies should be sought by considering algebra in a linguistic sense. (PK)

Ideas which apply language concepts to the study of algebra are presented. Discussed are algebraic notation, vocabulary, vocalization, and written assignments. The careful use of algebraic language in mathematics classes is emphasized. (CW)

Suggested are sight word activities which will help students recognize both language and mathematical symbols in reading materials. Activities described include context clues, structural analysis, phonic cues, and dictionary skills. (DS)

The focus is on aspects of learning and teaching mathematics in which the "distance" between the mother tongue of the learner and the language which dictated the design of the curriculum plays a major role. Illustrations concern students in Botswana. (MNS)

Discusses the use of calculators to calculate multiple operations. Describes calculating procedures and provides four different types of examples. (YP)

A large proportion of college students majoring in science are unable to translate even simple sentences into algebraic equations. Given the following sentence, "There are six times as many students (S) as professors (P) at this university," 37% of 150 freshmen engineering students in a study conducted in 1981 by Clement, Lockhead, and Monk wrote…

Investigated were Australian and Papua New Guinean elementary school children's strategies and errors on arithmetic word problems. Reports that (1) the two samples showed similar strategies and similar errors and (2) the main variable determining difficulty was the semantic structure of the questions. (YP)

This book is designed for those interested in the teaching of mathematics, in both first language and second language contexts, and is based on 15 years' teaching experience in Africa and Asia. The book is designed to present the main issues of language in mathematics teaching, and is therefore not a highly technical work. Chapters included are:…

Presented is a guide for undergraduate mathematical composition with emphases on explicit and clear definitions, purposeful formatting with regard to technical conventions, and proper style with respect to content and prospective audience. Numerous examples are included, particularly those involving complicated mathematical expressions. (JJK)

This paper argues that two serious flaws are present in current mathematics learning and instruction: (1) the lack of meaning in students' mathematical knowledge; and (2) students' inability to communicate using appropriate mathematical language and ideas. The study explored the relationship between mathematics language facility and mathematics…

This is one of five panel reports that have been prepared as part of the first phase of Project 2061, a long-term multipurpose undertaking of the American Association for the Advancement of Science designed to help reform science, mathematics, and technology education in the United States. Major sections included are: (1) "Introduction";…