Czech Society for the History of Science and Technology (SDVT), Czech Mathematical Union (JČMF) invite you to the interdisciplinary workshop
Mathematics and Language: A Historical Perspective
📅 Dates:
Thursday, 12 June 2025
Friday, 13 June 2025
📍 Venue:
Faculty of Education, Masaryk University
Poříčí 538/31, Room 37
Brno, Czech Republic
With its rich symbolism and branch-specific terminology, mathematics often appears as a collection of distinct “languages.” At the same time, it has long been regarded as a universal language—especially since the early modern period, when it came to be viewed as the language of nature. In more recent history, mathematics has significantly influenced the development of programming languages and has played an important role in shaping methods of clear expression in education.
The interplay between mathematics and language stretches far beyond metaphor. Solving real-world problems through mathematics often involves a process of translation—into mathematical form, and then back into everyday language. Moreover, mathematical practices vary across cultures and eras, challenging the idea of mathematics as a purely universal endeavor. Instead, mathematics is shaped by local cultures, languages, and historical contexts.
At the turn of the 20th century, mathematicians’ interest in language also became evident through their embrace of international auxiliary languages such as Esperanto and Ido, as part of a broader push toward global scientific communication. Meanwhile, the language of mathematics itself became increasingly symbolic, aiming to transcend linguistic barriers. These developments were not only practical but also political, reflecting changing attitudes toward nationalism, internationalism, and participation in the global scientific community.
This two-day workshop invites scholars to explore the multifaceted historical relationship between mathematics and language, including questions of translation, terminology, expression, and communication—both within mathematics and between mathematics and other domains.
Invited Speakers
- Frédéric Metin (CNRS and INSPÉ Bourgogne, France)
Esperanto or Ido? Mathematicians in the International Language Controversies, 1900–1914 - Elías Fuentes Guillén (CAS Prague, Czech Republic)
Old Terms within New Mathematical Practices at the Turn of the 19th Century
Call for Contributions
We welcome proposals for 20-minute presentations. Topics may include (but are not limited to) the history of:
- Mathematics as a language
- Mathematics practiced in different languages
- Geometry in engineering, nomography, and other historical disciplines
- Translating mathematics across cultures and time periods
Please send an abstract of 200–500 words to hdurnova@ped.muni.cz by Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by 13 May 2025.
Selected papers may be considered for publication in a special issue of the journal History of Sciences and Technology (https://dvt-journal.cz/en/; ISSN 0300-4414 print, 2788-3485 online).
💶 Conference Fee: €30 / CZK 600 (payable on site or via bank transfer)
📧 Contact: hdurnova@ped.muni.cz
We look forward to welcoming you to Brno! Helena Durnová (Brno) & Jan Kotůlek (Ostrava)
