The Pragmatics of Mathematics Education: Vagueness in Mathematical Discourse

by Tim Rowland

In The Pragmatics of Mathematics Education, Tim Rowland examines students in the process of making and coming-to-know mathematics, focusing on the gap between conjecture and belief, between assertion and conviction. The unexpected finding is that vague language plays an essential role in the communication of students propositions and attitudes.Drawing on a large, original corpus of mathematical conversations with students whose ages range from 5 to 25, the book includes reports of four empirical studies, each of which highlights how students and teachers deploy vague language in various mathematical contexts. The book offers:
-- Introduction to pragmatics and pragmatic tools
-- Understanding of vague language and what speakers achieve by using it
-- Awareness of the prevalence and function of vague language in the classroom
-- Wide-ranging psychological and philosophical discussion of induction and generalisation
-- Major reference on generic examples as a mode of proof

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999