Korean Job Discussion Forums

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:47 am Post subject: Math vs. Maths

Ok so I'm using a British book in one class of mine.

Although it doesn't mention packets of crisps, lorries, rubbers or lifts, it does use 'maths' a lot.

We don't say 'I study maths' in Canada. Interesting. I suppose when you think about it, it's correct (maths) because of the abbreviation.

Mathematics------------maths.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:49 am Post subject:

In Canada and America "math"

In Britain "maths"

No need to try and say which is better

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:53 am Post subject:

Sorry to have offended you. Seems like even the most benign posts I make on here get flamed. This is one bizarre cafe. Wow, and from a fellow VanIslander. Think I'll start a post on 'fluffy kittens' and see how much rage I can evoke.

By the way, we're in Korea not Britain or Canada. I think I'm going to use 'maths' just to spite your reply Laughing

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

American lingo preferred here... Smile

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:58 am Post subject:

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:05 am Post subject:

It was just something I noticed on Friday while teaching.

I thought it was interesting, and mentioned abbreviations and I suppose the arbitrary nature of English as well.

I was not trying to start any sort of Brit vs anyone thread. You know, this site annoys the hell out of me sometimes.

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:06 am Post subject:

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:14 am Post subject:

Now that you have just edited your original post: it looks reasonable. Wink

It is interesting to reflect on differences like that.

I first recall hearing "maths" in university and thought the term meant 'kinds of math', as in calculus, geometry, arithmetic

just like "fruits" is used to mean 'kinds of fruit'

I can imagine how the singular can be a bit harsh sounding at first, as when I heard "I like sport" instead of "I like sports" I thought it sounded like a mistake by an immigrant who's an English as a second language user. Laughing

Traveling to New Zealand has increased my awareness of the differences within the English language, as of course has reading Australian short stories.

"at the weekend" and "on the weekend" etc.

Tokki1 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:21 am Post subject:

English is so arbitrary. I suppose all languages are.

Idioms and phrasal verbs are fun as hell to teach.

Fish plural=fish, same with fruit.
I paid through the nose for that fruit.

I try to teach my students with a more 'natural English' style so that they can develop a feel for it. Yes, they want grammar rules and they want to crack the English code like some sort of formula but it doesn't work that way, of course.

The rules are so complex when you get into advanced English it drives me up the wall.

Right now I have an advanced TOEFL class and I'm trying to teach them how to use advanced punctuation to vary their sentence structure. LOL it's fun as hell.

Try to get a Korean student to use a semicolon and parentheses in the same sentence. Try the double dash.

By the way, I live at Mokdong (on an) apartment--therefore, in the street; I'm walking to work sometimes in the day.

NAVFC · Joined: 10 May 2006

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Maths sounds correct to me, mathematics, maths.

American English is not as popular as it was here a few years ago I guess, has to do with a lot of Koreans going to Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and other countries using Brit English to study I presume.