ethnomathematics (ETH.noh.math.uh.mat.iks; th as in thin) n.
Mathematics as practiced by non-Western ethnic groups and
marginalized groups within Western society. Also: ethno-mathematics.
--ethnomathematical adj.
--ethnomathematician n.
Example Citation
---------------------------------
Starting in 1993, he traveled across Africa on a Fulbright
scholarship to investigate evidence of fractals in windscreens,
carvings and textiles. He explored villages -- once leaning
precariously out of a small airplane to take pictures of layout
patterns. His resulting book, "African Fractals," argues for a
mathematical intelligence in African design more complex than
generally appreciated.
Eglash's research fits in squarely with "ethnomathematics," a term
coined in the '80s and usually used to describe the mathematical
practices of smaller or indigenous cultural groups. While
ethnomathematicians have studied Mayan calendars and even boomerang
flights, a unifying theme is an emphasis on mathematical
accomplishments outside the Western canon.
Advocates see ethnomathematics as a useful way to make math more
expansive and relevant to students from different backgrounds.
Critics characterize it as a diversion from numbers that could lead
to softer standards.
--Michael Hill, "In hair and Latin beats, professor creates math
lessons," The Associated Press, April 29, 2003
Example Citation #2
---------------------------------
Ethnomathematics -- the general name mathematician Ubiratan
D'Ambrosio of Brazil coined for this study of the concepts,
practices, and artifacts through which we discover mathematical
elements among peoples living outside or on the margins of Western
culture -- teaches us to look at "exotic" forms of mathematics as an
intrinsic element of the civilizations in which they have flourished,
well worth studying for their own sake.
--Dirk J. Struik, "Everybody counts," Technology Review, August 1995
Earliest Citation
---------------------------------
Native American Mathematics appears at a time when interest in
ethnomathematics is on the increase. Educational projects devoted to
developing mathematics materials relevant to the Native American
heritage, style of learning, and economic environment are currently
under way at Northern Arizona University, Oklahoma State University,
and the Fort Ojibway School in Minnesota, to name but a few. An
International Study Group on Ethnomathematics has been established, a
newsletter on the subject is being published, and international
meetings have been scheduled.
--Charles G. Moore, "Native American Mathematics (book review),
Science, May 22, 1987
First Use
---------------------------------
Ethnomathematics [is] the maths practised among cultural groups such
as national-tribal societies, labour groups, children of a certain
age bracket, professional classes and so on.
--Ubiratan D'Ambrosio, "Ethnomathematics and Its Place in the History
and Pedagogy of Mathematics," For the Learning of Mathematics: An
International Journal of Mathematics Education, February
1985
See Also
---------------------------------
design ethnographer:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/designethnographer.asp
edubabble:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/edubabble.asp
equity education:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/equityeducation.asp
fuzzy math:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/fuzzymath.asp
J curve:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/Jcurve.asp
mathlete:
http://www.wordspy.com/words/mathlete.asp
Words About Words
---------------------------------
Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never
know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is
true.
--Bertrand Russell, Welsh mathematician, philosopher, and essayist,
_Mysticism and Logic_, 1917
Miscellanea
---------------------------------
The WordSpy mailing list is available in an HTML version that bears
an uncanny resemblance to the pages on the Word Spy Web site (see the
address below). If you'd like to try it out, send a note to
listmanager@logophilia.com and include only the command "html
wordspy" (without the quotation marks) in the Subject line.
For more Word Spy words, see the Word Spy Archives:
http://www.wordspy.com/
You are currently subscribed as rah@shipwright.com.
To drop this address from the list, you have two choices:
Send a message to listmanager@logophilia.com and include only the command
"leave wordspy" (without the quotation marks) in the Subject line.
Or,
Use the following Web address:
http://www.wordspy.com/list/remove.asp?Email=rah@shipwright.com&ID=26169
========================================================
--- end forwarded text
--
-----------------
R. A. Hettinga