We can't understand the universe unless we learn this language and are familiar with the words written in it. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are geometric figures such as triangles and circles. Without it, it means that human beings can't understand a word.
However, is mathematics really a language like English or Chinese? To answer this question, it is helpful to know what language is and how to use mathematical vocabulary and grammar to construct sentences.
Viewpoint: Why is mathematics a language?
In order to be regarded as a language, a communication system must have vocabulary, grammar, syntax and people who use and understand it.
Mathematics fits the definition of this language. Linguists who do not regard mathematics as a language regard it as a form of written communication rather than oral communication.
Mathematics is a universal language. The symbols and organizations that make up the equation are the same in every country in the world.
What is language?
"Language" has many definitions. A language can be a system of words or codes used in a discipline. Language can refer to a system that uses symbols or sounds to communicate. Noam Chomsky, a linguist, defines language as a set of sentences composed of finite elements. Some linguists believe that language should be able to express events and abstract concepts.
No matter which definition is used, a language contains the following components:
There must be a word or symbol.
Meaning must be attached to words or symbols.
The grammar of language use is a set of rules that outline how words are used.
Grammar organizes symbols into linear structures or propositions.
Narration or discourse consists of a series of syntactic propositions.
There must be (or used to be) a group of people using and understanding these symbols.
Mathematics meets all these requirements. These symbols, their meanings, syntax and grammar are the same all over the world. Mathematicians, scientists and others use mathematics to communicate concepts. Mathematics describes itself (a field called meta-mathematics) and describes phenomena and abstract concepts in the real world.
Vocabulary, grammar and syntax in mathematics
Mathematical expressions are written from left to right, even if the speaker's mother tongue is written from right to left or from top to bottom.
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Mathematics vocabulary comes from many different letters, including symbols unique to mathematics. A mathematical equation can be expressed in words, and a sentence is composed of nouns and verbs, just like a sentence in spoken English. For example:
3 + 5 = 8
It can be said that "three plus five equals eight".
To break this point, the nouns in mathematics include:
* * * Numbers (0,5, 123.7)
Score (1? 4、5? 9、2 1? 3)
Variables (a, b, c, x, y, z)
Expression (3x, x 2, 4+x)
Chart or visual element (circle, angle, triangle, tensor, matrix)
Infinity (∞)
circumference ratio
Imaginary number (I, -i)
The speed of light (Celsius)
Verbs include symbols, including:
Equality or inequality (=,
Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division (+,-,x or *, ? or/) and other operations.
Other operations (sine, cosine, tangent, second)
If you try to execute sentence charts on mathematical sentences, you will find infinitives, conjunctions, adjectives and so on. Like other languages, the function of symbols depends on their context.
International rules
Mathematical grammar and syntax, like vocabulary, are international. No matter which country you come from or what language you speak, the structure of mathematical language is the same.
The formula is read from left to right.
Latin letters are used for parameters and variables. To some extent, the Greek alphabet is also used. Integers are usually taken from I, J, K, L, M and N. Real numbers are represented by A, B, C, α, β and γ. Complex numbers are represented by w and z, unknowns are x, y and z, and the names of functions are usually f, g and h.
Greek letters are used to represent specific concepts. For example, λ is used for wavelength and ρ is used for density.
Parentheses and square brackets indicate the order of symbol interaction.
The expressions of function, integral and derivative are unified.
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Common mathematical symbols
Language as a teaching tool
It takes practice to establish equations. Sometimes, it helps to start with a sentence in your mother tongue and then translate it into numbers.
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It is helpful to understand the working principle of mathematical sentences when teaching or learning mathematics. Students often find numbers and symbols daunting, so expressing equations in familiar language will make the subject easier to understand. It's basically like translating a foreign language into a known language.
Although students usually don't like application problems, it is a valuable skill to extract nouns, verbs and modifiers from spoken/written language and transform them into mathematical equations. Application problems can improve the ability to understand and solve problems.
Because mathematics is the same all over the world, mathematics can be used as a common language. A phrase or formula has the same meaning, regardless of other languages attached to it. In this way, mathematics can help people learn and communicate, even if there are other communication obstacles.
Arguments against using mathematics as a language
Try to state Maxwell's equation in spoken language.
Anne Hermanstein
Not everyone agrees that mathematics is a language. Some definitions of language describe it as a form of oral communication. Mathematics is a written way of communication. Although it may be easy to read a simple addition statement (such as 1+ 1 = 2), it is much more difficult to read other equations (such as Maxwell's equation). In addition, the oral presentation will be made in the speaker's mother tongue instead of the common language.
But based on this standard, sign language will also be disqualified. Most linguists believe that sign language is a real language. There are some extinct languages, and no one knows how to pronounce them or even read them.
A powerful example of mathematics as a language is that modern primary school curriculum uses the technology in language education to teach mathematics. Educational psychologist Paul Riccomini and his colleagues wrote that students studying mathematics need "a strong vocabulary knowledge base; Flexibility; Fluent and skilled use of numbers, symbols, words and charts; And understanding. "
source
Ford, Allen and David Pitt. "The role of language in science." Physical basis18.12 (1988):1233-42.
Galileo galilei. "'Analyst' ('Il Saggiatore' in Italian) (Rome, 1623)." Debate on Comet 16 18. Edit. Drake, steelman and CD o'malley. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1960.
Edward S. Klima and Ursula monica bellucci. "Symbols of language." Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1979.
Mathematical language: the importance of mathematical vocabulary teaching. Reading and writing quarterly 31.3 (2015): 235-52. Print.