UK: Children go back to basics in maths

The Telegraph ^ | 6/10/2012 | Graeme Paton

[Cronos]

701AD — when it hit the nearest civilised countries — Egypt, a center of Christianity (in fact THE center until the 4th century), and Yemen, another Christian (and Jewish) area and Syria (a fully 100% Christian, deeply Christian land)

[A'elian' nation]

Thanks, and I am aware of that distinction of context. But over here, I have never heard anyone ever say - “The team are practicing” or the “UN are”

Don’t you have to admit that adherents to British English almost always use the plural verb form for collective nouns in general? I never heard anyone in England say “The team is.” It was so prevalent that it ‘jarred my ears’ - not in a negative way - just in a way to get my decided attention.

[Caulkhead]

Please don’t apologise - my post was entirely good-humoured and no offence was taken!

I lived in the US for a few years so I’m quite well tuned in to the differences between English and American English. I love the diversity of the language and the organic way it evolves into regional variations.

From an English perspective, I would generally use the plural for smaller or more familiar subjects such as a football team which is clearly made up of individuals but would resort to the singular for larger and more homogenous entities such as the UN, NATO or the inland revenue service!

Any criticism of American English found in my posts is purely for sake of friendly banter, not cultural imperialism. :)

[A'elian' nation]

And what is this ‘maths’ instruction ?

So would you say The maths curriculum is all screwed up or
The maths curriculum are all screwed up ?

Not to mention: 2 + 2 IS 4 or 2 + 2 ARE 4

Game On! my friend across the pond.
Shudder the thought that any nationalistic imperialism is going on. lol

[the scotsman]

‘Math’ bemuses us.

You study physics, not physic. You study statistics, not statistic. So you study mathematics, not mathematic. We cannot understand the logic/argument for math singular. It does not make linguistic nor common sense.

I can only put it down to ‘simplified spelling’. Which of course forms a great deal of everyday American English.

[the scotsman]

We use both, I hear both being used.
I think it depends on area and individual.

[Caulkhead]

I’d say ‘The maths curriculum is ineffective’ as both ‘maths’ and ‘mathematics’ are not the plural of anything just as ‘physics’ is not the plural of ‘physic’.

‘Two plus two is four’ once again because although the words two and four represent numbers higher than one, they are not plural.

One cannot define absolutely one version of English to be more authentic than another, but English written the English way by the English people who invented the English language in England has a reasonably good call on being the original! :)

[A'elian' nation]

Thank you again for your scholarly erudtion. I do cede your point that proper English came from the English - lol. We sure have made a botch of it. I love to hear you guys speak. Your accent alone makes you sound intellectually superior. With Wales-speak being the exception - lol. I take pity on the road sign makers there.

And there are no better sitcoms than Brit sitcoms which we steal regularly. Allo Allo being the hands down sidesplitter.

I was just curious about a grammatical practice that piqued my interest when traversing your fine land. My harassment ARE now terminated. Thank you very much and God Save the Queen and all that.

[Caulkhead]

My pleasure, though you’ve clearly never heard a black country accent!

I must disagree with American English being a botch though, in many ways it remains more faithful to 18th century English than our version and whilst our version relies more on the logic of tradition, American English is an interesting mix of pre-Victorian English and 20th century abbreviation.

God bless America and all who sail in her! :)