Exploring translation issues of proof-related words

The case of Japanese

Abstract

Argumentation and proof are seen as a well-developed field of international research in mathematics education. Although the linguistic issues of argumentation and proof have been studied, translation issues of proof-related words have not been sufficiently and explicitly discussed as an object of study. In this short article, I refer to certain theoretical constructs (natural and dynamic equivalence, purpose paradigm, and translation shift) based on ‘translation studies’, and then identify some translation issues of proof-related words (mostly regarding translation from/to Japanese) and discuss the ideas behind these issues in terms of translation theories.