Mathematics Vocabulary

Vocabulary is a lexicon of words, common expressions and phrases that we utilize to communicate. Language is an ensemble of words that convey a message in different cultural aspects. The world contains a broad range of languages in which we use to communicate to each other, each and every language is unique and complex in its own way. Yet does the presence of diverse languages mean that we think differently, therefore is our vocabulary capable of affecting and shaping the way we think or know? What is the purpose of language; to shape our culture or perhaps to facilitate the communication between them? One could agree, that it does indeed shape what we know. On the other hand, a number of people would argue that thought or ideas are self-sufficient of language. Synonym words may have the same meaning but that can vary from person to person. Whether someone finds beautiful the same as charming or as awe-some, as the notorious quote states “beauty lies on the eye of the beholder” but in this case- more inclined towards context. The original word remains the same, but its context can change.

In the area of knowledge of Mathematics, the subject is said to be the universal language. This is because Mathematics itself is a language that all the mathematicians in the world use to solve enigmas. It is not necessarily a language but a group of symbols that aid in our understanding of a question. It is this exclusive mathematical vocabulary that helps us shape our knowledge, examples include when using universal terms such as ‘i’ to refer to imaginary numbers. Students in Japan or Sweden would understand this term regardless their cultural upbringing and background. If we used Language as a way of knowing; when reading the book, ‘Arrancam...

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...ur knowledge. Vocabulary does not always restrict or mold what we can know. The extent to which vocabulary could limit what we can know or varies from the different areas of knowledge, as meaning can be very flexible and diverse. Often times, our vocabulary is limited; it fails to encompass the absolute reality of a concept, since by definition, vocabulary is a coordination of symbols serving to communicate opinions and thoughts, on the contrary, vocabulary can also serve as an entrance to a pool of knowledge. As a final point “Language is not the only vehicle of thought, it is a great and efficient instrument in thinking –Humphrey Davy”, our understanding by communication of language goes far beyond our knowledge for certain aspects; it shapes the communal thought process in which the vocabulary we use, ensemble the distinctive individuals in our ordinary lives.