This book by renowned scholar Dr Abdul Karim Bangura combines
linguistics and mathematics to show how and why African-centred
mathematical ideas can be a driving force in Africa's development
efforts. Bangura explores the concept that Africa has been the centre of
the History of Mathematics for thousands of years, as the civilizations
that emerged across the continent developed contributions which would
enrich both ancient and modern understanding of nature through
mathematics. However, scholars and other professionals working in the
field of mathematics education in Africa have identified a plethora of
issues in carrying out their tasks. This is highlighted by one of the
most compelling arguments in the book, which is that a major reason for
these problems is the fact that the African mother tongues has been
greatly neglected in the teaching of mathematics in the continent.
Bangura asserts that a change has to be made in order for Africa to
benefit from the exceptional opportunities mathematics offer, showing
that, even if there is a great body of work connecting linguistics and
mathematics, few analyses have been performed on the link between
African languages and mathematics--and the ones that have been made are
not theoretically-grounded on linguistics. Thus, the book begins by
identifying the objects of study of linguistics and mathematics, and
delineates which ones they have in common. Next, since the object of
study of linguistics is language, the nine design features of language
are employed to examine each of the objects as it pertains to African
languages. After that, mathematical ideas of sustainability and those of
tipping points are suggested as means to help Africa's development
efforts.
