Language Magazine – Twana Young
“Math has a complex language of its own, complete with its own vocabulary (and vernacular). To some students, words like addend, divisor, quotient, factor, and denominator can seem intimidating. Not having a clear understanding of the concepts associated with these terms can serve as a barrier to math achievement. But it’s not just the terms unique to math that can trip up students. As a research article by Michael Bulaon observes, the language of math also uses familiar English-language words in different contexts from those to which students are accustomed.1 The word set, for instance, means something else altogether in the context of math.” (more)