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 <mailto: rah@ibuc.com> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire'