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Ya, I don't understand the point here.
Is the context asking if jr high/high school language classes for languages that use Arabic Numerals should be banned?
Or is the context asking if grade school students should be taught all the different numerals of the world?
Or is the context asking if just English/Roman/Arabic numerals should be taught?
etc.
All of these questions have different answers...
- For context: Arabic numbers are the "normal" numbers you use every day in contrast to the Roman numerals for example
  
  Yes, and as I just learned EASTERN Arabic numerals are a horse of a completely different color.
  Its a good trick question.
  English speakers are going to look for "English/British/UK" for the name of the characters they use.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englishnumerals
  They are going to think that when you say Arabic, it means this:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EasternArabicnumerals
  
  You see, that's why it should be tought. Because even you who have some culture don't understand the question.
  Seriously though, why would you want children to not learn something at school? That's some next level weaponized ignorance there.
- It's pointing out how many people will ignorantly hate something just because of it's name.
  
  That might be the narrative its going for, but I don't think its a good example.
  Pointing out that people are dumb (like me) and that they dont know that English speaking countries use Non-Eastern Arabic Numerals, that might be something.
  Calling that racism is just lazy and misleading.
  
  Pointing out that people are dumb (like me) and that they dont know that English speaking countries use Arabic Numerals, that might be something.
  There you go. You finally got it. Yay.
  It's Also pointing out the fear of middle easterns
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_numerals
  
  Thanks for the clarification. It looks like my google glance was too sloppy.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EasternArabicnumerals
  My glance lead me to believe these are Arabic numerals but they are EASTERN Arabic Numerals.
  
  Old American guy here, for context. Never heard of or even seen the Eastern version. Since elementary school, I've been taught and known 1,2,3,4 as "Arabic numbers".
  
  Middle-old American here.
  I was taught "numbers" and Roman Numerals.
  Post high school (largely because I work with data for a living) I have been exposed to the concept that there are a wide variety of numeral systems out there.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofnumeralsystems
  When responding to the prompt, I was thinking something to the effect of the first table on that wiki page and went "nah, Americans struggle hard enough with basic English Numerals, adding other numeral systems would be a complete nightmare." Not because I'm racist, because I'm simple dumb.
  Little did I know my American public education in the 90s/00s ass I was stepping into a "dangers of dihydrogen monoxide" trap.
  Great example of "don't attribute to malice what can be attributed to simple ignorance."
  
  I think you're exaggerating this a bit. Not sure how to state it, but this particular ignorance seems very widespread, and that was my point. I can't fault people for not knowing all the different number systems.
  For example; When we see pictures from all over Asia, still Arabic numerals. I just can't see this sort of ignorance as "bad".
  I'm drunk and we're probably agreeing. 🙄
  
  gentle fist bump
  I am sure at least a few times over 12 years of education I was told they are Arabic numerals.
  One of those times was probably minutes after my history teacher said "go to Mexico and look at the street signs, same numbers. Go to China and look at the street signs, different letters same numbers. Go to Sweden. You have no idea what the words are but you know the numbers. Go to Japan. You are lost, nothing is familiar, you don't understand any of the words, written or spoken. You thought you knew how to kind of quietly read the nonverbal language and not be a jerk, but you will always be the jerk in Japan... bit you understand the numbers..."
  I was just a typical American, selectively listened, got my diploma anyway though.
  Good thread. Giving me shit to contemplate and shit.
  
  Massive props for responding to (and remaining civil with) everyone who replied to you
  
  When it's politics and I'm confident in my position, I can be a raging asshole while asserting my position.
  When it is something I am straight up cut and dry wrong about and its an opportunity to learn, I try to learn.
- What are "English" numerals and what is the difference to Arabic numerals?
  
  I'm learning on this thread.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Englishnumerals
  I misinterpreted my quick Google and thought Eastern Arabic Numerals were Arabic Numerals.
  Then I googled "British Numerals" to find the proper name and Google told me the proper name was English Numerals.

151 comments