Abstract

MAIA DA COSTA, Lucélida de Fátima; SANCHEZ LIZARDI, Patrícia  and  GHEDIN, Evandro. Language and thinking: the ideas of Steven Pinker and their implication for mathematics teaching in the Ticuna indigenous context . Ciênc. cogn. [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp. 28-39. ISSN 1806-5821.

In this paper we discuss the implications of Steven Pinker's ideas about how the mind works and his primary proposal that language is an instinct on mathematics education, considering that we are born with a mental structure for language that is ready to be developed. The purpose of this article is, through Pinker's ideas, show that the Ticuna's weaving can be understood as a language that expresses a cultural memory that is rich in tradition and mathematical ideas and that should be considered when thinking teaching strategies in the Ticuna context. In order to explore this, we used a qualitative research method, with a documentary and ethnographic approach, which allowed us to make some inferences during the weaving process. We suggest that in this process, there is an expression of language that guides mathematical thinking in the designing of ornamental forms, indicating a possibility of its usage in teaching mathematics in the Ticuna indigenous school. © Cien. Cogn. 2012; Vol. 17 (2): 028-039.

Keywords : mathematics teaching; Pinker; language; thinking; Ticuna weaving.

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