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class="comp article-header-block mntl-block "><ul id="breadcrumbs_1-0" class="comp breadcrumbs mntl-universal-breadcrumbs mntl-block type--squirrel breadcrumbs" data-tracking-container="true"><li id="mntl-breadcrumbs__item_1-0" class="comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block"><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/sciences-math-4132465" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-text-link_5-0" class="mntl-text-link mntl-breadcrumbs__link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Science, Tech, Math</span></a> <span id="breadcrumbs__separator_1-0" class="comp breadcrumbs__separator mntl-text-block">›</span></li> <li id="mntl-breadcrumbs__item_2-0" class="comp mntl-breadcrumbs__item mntl-block"><a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/math-4133545" rel="nocaes" id="mntl-text-link_6-0" class="mntl-text-link mntl-breadcrumbs__link" data-tracking-container="true" ><span class="link__wrapper">Math</span></a> <span id="breadcrumbs__separator_2-0" class="comp breadcrumbs__separator mntl-text-block">›</span></li></ul> <div id="article-heading_1-0" class="comp article-heading mntl-article-header"> <h1 class="article-heading type--lion">Why Mathematics Is a Language</h1> </div></div> </div><div class="loc article-post-header"><div id="post-header-social-block_1-0" class="comp post-header-social-block mntl-block"><div id="social-share-block_1-0" class="comp social-share-block mntl-block"><ul id="social-share_1-0" class="comp social-share mntl-social-share share" data-title="Why Mathematics Is a Language" document="ListStructuredContentDocumentEx{parent=BaseDocumentEx{templateType=LISTSC, documentId=4158142, bestTitle='Why Mathematics Is a Language'}}" data-description="While there is some debate about it, mathematics is a language, that has both a vocabulary and grammar. Learn why math is a language." data-tracking-container="true"> <li class="share-item share-item-facebook"> <span data-href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thoughtco.com%2Fwhy-mathematics-is-a-language-4158142%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook.com%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial-share-article" data-network="facebook" data-click-tracked="true" class="share-link share-link-facebook" tabindex="0" title="Share on Facebook" aria-label="Share on Facebook" role="link"> <svg class="icon icon-facebook " > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-facebook" href="#icon-facebook"></use> </svg> </span> </li> <li class="share-item share-item-flipboard"> <span 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src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/J5VyX3bsvgY3gwehOy6hCVmIVCw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/geometric-shapes-and-mathematics-in-speech-bubble-145166172-5a6de59a6edd650036054170.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/J5VyX3bsvgY3gwehOy6hCVmIVCw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/geometric-shapes-and-mathematics-in-speech-bubble-145166172-5a6de59a6edd650036054170.jpg 1500w" sizes="750px" alt="The symbols used in mathematics may be used to construct sentences." class=" primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry" onload="(function(e){e.classList.add('loaded')})(this)" style="--blurry: url('data:image/gif;charset=utf-8;base64,R0lGODlhCgAHAPQAABM2mQCTegDKldo/Np+JeeG6ALurnMnJycrKysvLy87OztHR0dLS0tPT09TU1NXV1dbW1tjY2NnZ2dra2tvb29zc3N3d3d7e3uDg4OHh4eLi4uPj4+bm5hM2mRM2mRM2mSwAAAAACgAHAEQITgARNIBAQYOFDBguUFiwYEKBChg0ZCBwYcGDBgkAWAiA0EKCBRAiELywwcKFAw4kVLiA0AAGBwwUSKBgQQCGARkuKGAAQcKEChkycMgQEAA7')" /> <noscript> <img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/J5VyX3bsvgY3gwehOy6hCVmIVCw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/geometric-shapes-and-mathematics-in-speech-bubble-145166172-5a6de59a6edd650036054170.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" class="loaded primary-img--noscript primary-image__image mntl-primary-image--blurry" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/J5VyX3bsvgY3gwehOy6hCVmIVCw=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/geometric-shapes-and-mathematics-in-speech-bubble-145166172-5a6de59a6edd650036054170.jpg 1500w" sizes="750px" alt="The symbols used in mathematics may be used to construct sentences." /> </noscript> </div> </div> <figcaption id="primary-image__figcap_1-0" class="comp primary-image__figcap mntl-figure-caption figure-article-caption"> <span class="figure-article-caption-owner">Westend61 / Getty Images</span> </figcaption></figure> </div><div class="loc article-left-rail"> <div id="breadcrumbs-list_2-0" class="comp 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Worksheets By Grade <svg class="icon icon-caret-right breadcrumbs-list-icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-caret-right" href="#icon-caret-right"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumbs-list-item empty-submenu"> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/math-resources-4133523" rel="nocaes" data-ordinal="8" class="breadcrumbs-list-link" > Resources <svg class="icon icon-caret-right breadcrumbs-list-icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-caret-right" href="#icon-caret-right"></use> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div><div class="loc article-pre-content"><div id="article-meta_1-0" class="comp article-meta mntl-block" data-tracking-container="true"><div id="reference-bylines_1-0" class="comp reference-bylines mntl-bylines right-rail__offset"><div id="mntl-bylines__group_1-0" class="comp mntl-bylines__group mntl-block mntl-bylines__group--author"><div id="mntl-bylines__item_1-0" class="comp mntl-bylines__item mntl-attribution__item mntl-attribution__item--has-date"> <span class="mntl-attribution__item-descriptor">By</span> <div data-tooltip="Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/anne-marie-helmenstine-ph-d-601916" rel="nocaes" data-trigger-link="true" class="mntl-attribution__item-name" tabindex="-1" >Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.</a> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip mntl-tooltip mntl-group "> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__top mntl-author-tooltip__top--no-image"> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip__name_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__name mntl-attribution__item "> <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/anne-marie-helmenstine-ph-d-601916" rel="nocaes" class="mntl-attribution__item-name" tabindex="0" >Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.</a> </div> <div id="mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__social-nav reference-social-nav mntl-social-nav" data-tracking-container="true"> <ul class="social-nav__list"> <li class="social-nav__item social-nav__item--facebook"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aboutcom-Chemistry/244818558903541" target="_blank" rel="noopener nocaes" class="social-nav__link social-nav__link--facebook" aria-label="Visit Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.'s Facebook" > <svg class="icon icon-facebook social-nav__icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-facebook" href="#icon-facebook"></use> </svg> </a> </li> <li class="social-nav__item social-nav__item--x"> <a href="https://twitter.com/azareal" target="_blank" rel="noopener nocaes" class="social-nav__link social-nav__link--x" aria-label="Visit Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.'s X" > <svg class="icon icon-x social-nav__icon" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-x" href="#icon-x"></use> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <span id="mntl-author-tooltip__job-title_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__job-title mntl-text-block">Chemistry Expert</span> <ul id="mntl-author-tooltip__education_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education mntl-block"><li id="mntl-author-tooltip__education-item_1-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education-item mntl-text-block">Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville</li> <li id="mntl-author-tooltip__education-item_2-0" class="comp mntl-author-tooltip__education-item mntl-text-block">B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College</li></ul> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__bio"> Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. </div> </div> <div class="mntl-author-tooltip__bottom"> <span class="mntl-author-tooltip__learn-more-text">Learn about our</span> <a href="/about-us-4779650#toc-editorial-guidelines" rel="nocaes" class="mntl-author-tooltip__learn-more-link" >Editorial Process</a> </div> </div></div> </div> <div class="mntl-attribution__item-date">Updated on June 27, 2019</div></div> </div></div> </div><div class="loc article-content"><div id="list-sc_1-0" class="comp list-sc mntl-block article-content list "><div id="article-intro_1-0" class="comp article-intro mntl-block article-content__description"><p id="mntl-sc-block_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Mathematics is called the language of science. Italian astronomer and physicist <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/galileo-galilei-biography-1991864" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">Galileo Galilei</a> is attributed with the quote, "<em>Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe</em>." Most likely this quote is a summary of his statement in <em>Opere Il Saggiatore:</em> </p> <blockquote id="mntl-sc-block_2-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> [The universe] cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word. </blockquote> <p id="mntl-sc-block_3-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Yet, is mathematics truly a language, like English or Chinese? To answer the question, it helps to know what language is and how the vocabulary and grammar of mathematics are used to construct sentences. </p> <div id="mntl-sc-block_4-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-callout mntl-sc-block-callout mntl-block theme-keytakeaways" data-tracking-id="mntl-sc-block-callout" data-tracking-container="true"><h3 id="mntl-sc-block-callout-heading_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block-callout-heading mntl-text-block">Key Takeaways: Why Math is a Language</h3> <div id="mntl-sc-block-callout-body_1-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block-callout-body mntl-text-block"><ul><li>In order to be considered a language, a system of communication must have vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and people who use and understand it.</li><li>Mathematics meets this definition of a language. Linguists who don't consider math a language cite its use as a written rather than spoken form of communication.</li><li>Math is a universal language. The symbols and organization to form equations are the same in every country of the world.</li></ul></div></div></div> <div id="list-sc__content_1-0" class="comp list-sc__content mntl-sc-page mntl-block " data-sc-sticky-offset="85" data-sc-ad-label-height="24" data-sc-ad-track-spacing="100" data-sc-min-track-height="250" data-sc-max-track-height="600" data-sc-breakpoint="50em" data-sc-load-immediate="3" data-sc-content-positions="[1, 1050, 1250, 1550, 1950, 2350, 2750, 3150]" data-bind-scroll-on-start="true"><div id="list-sc-item_1-0" class="comp list-sc-item mntl-block mntl-sc-list-item"><div id="list-marker_1-0" class="comp list-marker list-marker--none"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-what-is-a-language"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_5-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> What Is a Language? </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_6-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> There are multiple definitions of "<a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-language-1691218" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">language</a>." A language may be a system of words or codes used within a discipline. Language may refer to a system of communication using symbols or sounds. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-linguist-1691239" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">Linguist</a> Noam Chomsky defined language as a set of sentences constructed using a finite set of elements. Some linguists believe language should be able to represent events and abstract concepts. </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_7-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Whichever definition is used, a language contains the following components: </p> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_8-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>There must be a <strong>vocabulary</strong> of words or symbols.</li><li><strong>Meaning</strong> must be attached to the words or symbols.</li><li>A language employs <strong>grammar</strong>, which is a set of rules that outline how vocabulary is used.</li><li>A <strong>syntax</strong> organizes symbols into linear structures or propositions.</li><li>A <strong>narrative</strong> or discourse consists of strings of syntactic propositions.</li><li>There must be (or have been) a group of people who use and understand the symbols.</li> </ul> <p id="mntl-sc-block_9-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Mathematics meets all of these requirements. The symbols, their meanings, syntax, and grammar are the same throughout the world. Mathematicians, scientists, and others use math to communicate concepts. Mathematics describes itself (a field called meta-mathematics), real-world phenomena, and abstract concepts. </p></div> <div id="adslot_1-0" class="comp adslot mntl-block mntl-sc-block-adslot"></div> <div id="list-sc-item_2-0" class="comp list-sc-item mntl-block mntl-sc-list-item"><div id="list-marker_2-0" class="comp list-marker list-marker--none"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-vocabulary-grammar-and-syntax-in-mathematics"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_10-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Vocabulary, Grammar, and Syntax in Mathematics </span> </h2> <figure id="mntl-sc-block_11-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-universal-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme mntl-sc-block-image figure-landscape figure-high-res"> <div class="figure-media"> <div class="img-placeholder" style="padding-bottom:66.7%;"> <img data-src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/N2hMLp5mKoTWbfT8wpxt1VZ25eM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/student-writing-on-blackboard-695556138-5a6e40fdeb97de0037e8a0c6.jpg" width="3862" height="2578" data-srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/bDdHdEvhs6TxBGISbCj3aMRe-BM=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/student-writing-on-blackboard-695556138-5a6e40fdeb97de0037e8a0c6.jpg 750w" data-sizes="750px" alt="Mathematical expressions are written from left to right, even if the speaker&#39;s native language is written right to left or top to bottom." class="lazyload universal-image__image" data-expand="300" id=mntl-sc-block-image_1-0 data-tracking-container="true" data-img-lightbox="true" data-click-tracked="true" /> <noscript> <img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/N2hMLp5mKoTWbfT8wpxt1VZ25eM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/student-writing-on-blackboard-695556138-5a6e40fdeb97de0037e8a0c6.jpg" width="3862" height="2578" class="img--noscript universal-image__image" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/bDdHdEvhs6TxBGISbCj3aMRe-BM=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/student-writing-on-blackboard-695556138-5a6e40fdeb97de0037e8a0c6.jpg 750w" sizes="750px" alt="Mathematical expressions are written from left to right, even if the speaker&#39;s native language is written right to left or top to bottom." /> </noscript> </div> </div> <figcaption id="mntl-figure-caption_1-0" class="comp mntl-figure-caption type--mouse figure-article-caption"> <span class="figure-article-caption-owner">Emilija Manevska / Getty Images</span> </figcaption></figure> <p id="mntl-sc-block_12-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> The vocabulary of math draws from many different alphabets and includes symbols unique to math. A mathematical equation may be stated in words to form a sentence that has a noun and a verb, just like a sentence in a spoken language. For example: </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_13-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> 3 + 5 = 8 </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_14-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> could be stated as "Three added to five equals eight." </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_15-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Breaking this down, <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-concrete-noun-1689904" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">nouns</a> in math include: </p> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_16-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>Arabic numerals (0, 5, 123.7)</li><li>Fractions (1⁄4, 5⁄9, 2 1⁄3)</li><li>Variables (a, b, c, x, y, z)</li><li>Expressions (3x, x<sup>2</sup>, 4 + x)</li><li>Diagrams or visual elements (circle, angle, triangle, tensor, matrix)</li><li>Infinity (∞)</li><li>Pi (π)</li><li>Imaginary numbers (i, -i)</li><li>The speed of light (c)</li> </ul> <p id="mntl-sc-block_17-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Verbs include symbols including: </p> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_18-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>Equalities or inequalities (=, <, >)</li><li>Actions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (+, -, x or *, ÷ or /)</li><li>Other operations (sin, cos, tan, sec)</li> </ul> <p id="mntl-sc-block_19-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> If you try to perform a sentence diagram on a mathematical sentence, you'll find infinitives, conjunctions, adjectives, etc. As in other languages, the role played by a symbol depends on its context. </p> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-international-rules"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_20-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> International Rules </span> </h2> <p id="mntl-sc-block_21-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Mathematics grammar and syntax, like vocabulary, are international. No matter what country you're from or what language you speak, the structure of the mathematical language is the same. </p> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_22-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li>Formulas are read from left to right.</li> <li>The Latin alphabet is used for parameters and variables. To some extent, the Greek alphabet is also used. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/understanding-classification-of-numbers-2312407" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1">Integers</a> are usually drawn from <em>i</em>, <em>j</em>, <em>k</em>, <em>l</em>, <em>m</em>, <em>n</em>. <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-real-number-3126307" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2">Real numbers</a> are represented by <em>a</em>, <em>b</em>, <em>c</em>, α<em>, β</em>, γ. Complex numbers are indicated by <em>w</em> and <em>z</em>. Unknowns are <em>x</em>, <em>y</em>, <em>z</em>. Names of functions are usually <em>f</em>, <em>g</em>, <em>h</em>.</li> <li>The Greek alphabet is used to represent specific concepts. For example, λ is used to indicate wavelength and ρ means density.</li> <li>Parentheses and brackets indicate the <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-bedmas-2312372" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="3">order in which the symbols interact</a>.</li> <li>The way functions, integrals, and derivatives are phrased is uniform.</li> </ul></div> <div id="adslot_2-0" class="comp adslot mntl-block mntl-sc-block-adslot"></div> <div id="list-sc-item_3-0" class="comp list-sc-item mntl-block mntl-sc-list-item"><div id="list-marker_3-0" class="comp list-marker list-marker--none"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-language-as-a-teaching-tool"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_23-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Language as a Teaching Tool </span> </h2> <figure id="mntl-sc-block_24-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-universal-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme mntl-sc-block-image figure-landscape figure-high-res"> <div class="figure-media"> <div class="img-placeholder" style="padding-bottom:66.6%;"> <img data-src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3FBkjxj7Vj_djIbgjhs5Asro2ho=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/question-marks-on-black-background-184837701-5a6df53904d1cf00378895cb.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" data-srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/tAaQ8iaCMM4PQkWS3Cjk9mgS3aw=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/question-marks-on-black-background-184837701-5a6df53904d1cf00378895cb.jpg 750w" data-sizes="750px" alt="Setting up equations requires practice. Sometimes it helps to start with a sentence in a person&#39;s native language and translate it into math." class="lazyload universal-image__image" data-expand="300" id=mntl-sc-block-image_2-0 data-tracking-container="true" data-img-lightbox="true" data-click-tracked="true" /> <noscript> <img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3FBkjxj7Vj_djIbgjhs5Asro2ho=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/question-marks-on-black-background-184837701-5a6df53904d1cf00378895cb.jpg" width="5616" height="3744" class="img--noscript universal-image__image" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/tAaQ8iaCMM4PQkWS3Cjk9mgS3aw=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/question-marks-on-black-background-184837701-5a6df53904d1cf00378895cb.jpg 750w" sizes="750px" alt="Setting up equations requires practice. Sometimes it helps to start with a sentence in a person&#39;s native language and translate it into math." /> </noscript> </div> </div> <figcaption id="mntl-figure-caption_2-0" class="comp mntl-figure-caption type--mouse figure-article-caption"> <span class="figure-article-caption-owner">StockFinland / Getty Images</span> </figcaption></figure> <p id="mntl-sc-block_25-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Understanding how mathematical sentences work is helpful when teaching or learning math. Students often find numbers and symbols intimidating, so putting an equation into a familiar language makes the subject more approachable. Basically, it's like translating a foreign language into a known one. </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_26-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> While students typically dislike word problems, extracting the nouns, verbs, and modifiers from a spoken/written language and translating them into a mathematical equation is a valuable skill to have. Word problems improve comprehension and increase problem-solving skills. </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_27-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Because mathematics is the same all over the world, math can act as a universal language. A phrase or formula has the same meaning, regardless of another language that accompanies it. In this way, math helps people learn and communicate, even if other communication barriers exist. </p></div> <div id="adslot_3-0" class="comp adslot mntl-block mntl-sc-block-adslot"></div> <div id="list-sc-item_4-0" class="comp list-sc-item mntl-block mntl-sc-list-item"><div id="list-marker_4-0" class="comp list-marker list-marker--none"></div> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-the-argument-against-math-as-a-language"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_28-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> The Argument Against Math as a Language </span> </h2> <figure id="mntl-sc-block_29-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-image mntl-sc-block-universal-image mntl-sc-block-image--no-theme no-theme mntl-sc-block-image figure-square figure-high-res"> <div class="figure-media"> <div class="img-placeholder" style="padding-bottom:80.0%;"> <img data-src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ZMMuwx9pPqpL8vJSpD30sCDqkjc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maxwellsequations-5a6dea1deb97de0037dbb20b.jpg" width="1500" height="1200" data-srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/y3l-X1CzITbe2-drqIfIL8L5vDk=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maxwellsequations-5a6dea1deb97de0037dbb20b.jpg 750w" data-sizes="750px" alt="Try stating Maxwell&#39;s equations in a spoken language." class="lazyload universal-image__image" data-expand="300" id=mntl-sc-block-image_3-0 data-tracking-container="true" data-img-lightbox="true" data-click-tracked="true" /> <noscript> <img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/ZMMuwx9pPqpL8vJSpD30sCDqkjc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maxwellsequations-5a6dea1deb97de0037dbb20b.jpg" width="1500" height="1200" class="img--noscript universal-image__image" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/y3l-X1CzITbe2-drqIfIL8L5vDk=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maxwellsequations-5a6dea1deb97de0037dbb20b.jpg 750w" sizes="750px" alt="Try stating Maxwell&#39;s equations in a spoken language." /> </noscript> </div> </div> <figcaption id="mntl-figure-caption_3-0" class="comp mntl-figure-caption type--mouse figure-article-caption"> <span class="figure-article-caption-owner">Anne Helmenstine</span> </figcaption></figure> <p id="mntl-sc-block_30-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> Not everyone agrees that mathematics is a language. Some definitions of "language" describe it as a spoken form of communication. Mathematics is a written form of communication. While it may be easy to read a simple addition statement aloud (e.g., 1 + 1 = 2), it's much harder to read other equations aloud (e.g., Maxwell's equations). Also, the spoken statements would be rendered in the speaker's native language, not a universal tongue. </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_31-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> However, sign language would also be disqualified based on this criterion. Most linguists accept sign language as a true language. There are a handful of dead languages that no one alive knows how to pronounce or even read anymore. </p> <p id="mntl-sc-block_32-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> A strong case for mathematics as a language is that modern elementary-high school curricula uses techniques from language education for teaching mathematics. Educational psychologist Paul Riccomini and colleagues wrote that students learning mathematics require "a robust vocabulary knowledge base; flexibility; fluency and proficiency with numbers, symbols, words, and diagrams; and comprehension skills." </p> <span class="heading-toc" id="toc-sources"></span><h2 id="mntl-sc-block_33-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block reference-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-block-heading mntl-sc-list-item-title"> <span class="mntl-sc-block-heading__text"> Sources </span> </h2> <ul id="mntl-sc-block_34-0" class="comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html"> <li><cite>Ford, Alan, and F. David Peat. "<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889434" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="1">The Role of Language in Science</a>." <em>Foundations of Physics</em> 18.12 (1988): 1233–42. </cite></li> <li><cite>Galilei, Galileo. "'The Assayer' ('Il Saggiatore' in Italian) (Rome, 1623)." <em>The Controversy on the Comets of 1618</em>. Eds. Drake, Stillman and C. D. O'Malley. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1960. </cite></li> <li><cite>Klima, Edward S., and Ursula Bellugi. "The Signs of Language. "Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1979. </cite></li> <li><cite>Riccomini, Paul J., et al. "<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10573569.2015.1030995" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="externalLink" data-ordinal="2">The Language of Mathematics: The Importance of Teaching and Learning Mathematical Vocabulary</a>." <em>Reading & Writing Quarterly</em> 31.3 (2015): 235-52. Print.</cite></li> </ul></div> <div id="adslot_4-0" class="comp adslot mntl-block mntl-sc-block-adslot"></div></div> <div id="article-outro_1-0" class="comp article-outro mntl-block"></div> <div id="sources-and-citation_1-0" class="comp sources-and-citation mntl-block"><div id="citation-widget_1-0" class="comp citation-widget js-citation-widget" data-tracking-container="true"> <div class="citation-widget__container js-container"> <button class="citation-widget__button js-button"> <span class="citation-widget__cite-label">Cite this Article </span> <svg class="icon icon-cite citation-widget__icon-cite" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-cite" href="#icon-cite"></use> </svg> </button> <div class="citation-widget__window js-window"> <svg class="icon icon-close citation-widget__icon-close js-icon-close" > <use xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="#icon-close" href="#icon-close"></use> </svg> <div class="citation-widget__heading">Format</div> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link citation-widget__format-link--active js-format-link">mla</a> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link js-format-link">apa</a> <a href="#" class="citation-widget__format-link js-format-link">chicago</a> <div class="citation-widget__heading">Your Citation</div> <div class="citation-widget__content js-content"> <span class="citation-widget__citation citation-widget__citation--active js-active" data-citation-format="mla">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Why Mathematics Is a Language." ThoughtCo, Jun. 25, 2024, thoughtco.com/why-mathematics-is-a-language-4158142.</span> <span class="citation-widget__citation" data-citation-format="apa">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2024, June 25). Why Mathematics Is a Language. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/why-mathematics-is-a-language-4158142</span> <span class="citation-widget__citation" data-citation-format="chicago">Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Why Mathematics Is a Language." 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