16.3642, Media: Welsh Counting System Makes Maths Easier

[LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-16-3642. Wed Dec 21 2005. ISSN: 1068 - 4875.

Subject: 16.3642, Media: Welsh Counting System Makes Maths Easier

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1)
Date: 17-Dec-2005
From: Mark Jones < markjjones at hotmail.com >
Subject: Welsh Counting System Makes Maths Easier 

	
-------------------------Message 1 ---------------------------------- 
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 23:11:14
From: Mark Jones < markjjones at hotmail.com >
Subject: Welsh Counting System Makes Maths Easier 
 


A report on the Welsh-language BBC Cymru site reports research by Ann
Dowker and others at Oxford University into maths skills among children,
which may show that Welsh children find basic mathematical concepts easier
due to the Welsh counting system. The traditional Welsh counting system is
vigesimal, but another system, using forms like 'un deg tri' (one ten
three) for 13, 'dau ddeg tri' (two ten three) for 23, is in widespread use.

The report (in Welsh) can be read below. I've been unable to find a link to
an English language version.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/welsh/hi/newsid_4520000/newsid_4528800/4528880.stm

Mark J. Jones
Department of Linguistics
University of Cambridge
mjj13 at cam.ac.uk 


Linguistic Field(s): General Linguistics
                     Neurolinguistics




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