Understanding Language in Academic Textbooks

The question asks about the specific type of language used in educational materials like science, mathematics, and arts textbooks.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Mother tongue: This is the first language a person learns, usually at home. While textbooks might be available in a student's mother tongue, the term "mother tongue" refers to the language itself, not its specific use in academic contexts.
• Common language: This can refer to the everyday language spoken by a community or a lingua franca used for communication among different groups. The language in textbooks is often more formal and specialized than common, everyday language.
• Academic language: This is the language used in schools and universities, particularly in textbooks, lectures, and academic writing. It has specific vocabulary, grammar, and discourse features that are different from everyday language. It includes subject-specific terms (like 'photosynthesis' in science or 'theorem' in mathematics) and more complex sentence structures.
• Second language: This is a language learned after the mother tongue. While textbooks are often used to teach a second language or are written in a student's second language, the term "second language" describes the learner's relationship to the language, not the nature of the language used in the textbook itself.

Why Academic Language is the Correct Term

The language used in textbooks for subjects like science, mathematics, and arts is specifically designed for learning and discussing complex concepts within those fields. It employs precise terminology, often uses formal grammar, and structures information in a logical and organized manner suitable for academic study.

This specialized form of language is known as academic language. It is distinct from the casual language used in everyday conversations.

Therefore, the language found in the textbooks of science, mathematics, arts, and other academic subjects is called academic language.