The presence of cognitive verbs in mathematical texts (1800–1900) of the Coruña Corpus

Abstract

[Abstract] This study investigates the use of cognitive verbs in 19th-century mathematical texts within the Coruña Corpus. Focusing on the frequency and function of four semantic classes—verbs of communication, desire, perception, and aspectuals—the analysis reveals trends in scientific writing that align with the period's stylistic goals of clarity and objectivity. Verbs of communication and perception, accounting for the highest occurrences, reflect the need to convey information and facilitate understanding in scientific discourse. In contrast, verbs of desire are less frequent, suggesting a limited role for expressing subjective intentions. The findings also indicate a preference for simple present and passive forms, supporting the trend towards depersonalisation in scientific language. These linguistic choices illustrate how mathematical texts contributed to a developing scientific register, emphasising accuracy and precision. The study focuses on the evolution of mathematical language during this period and its role in shaping scientific communication norms.