Exploring Mathematical Figurative Language in English and Bulgarian
Exploring Mathematical Figurative Language in English and Bulgarian

Summary/Abstract: This article examines how mathematical concepts find their way into figurative language in English and Bulgarian. The aim is to identify and classify idiomatic expressions that use ideas such as numbers, operations, measurement, geometry, proportion, and abstract notions like probability or infinity. The data were gathered from dictionaries, corpora, and other reference sources, and grouped into thematic categories. The analysis shows that idioms with numbers are the most widespread, often with close parallels across the two languages, while others highlight cultural differences and unique linguistic creativity. Beyond numbers, idioms related to calculation, measurement, and shape illustrate how mathematical reasoning subtly shapes everyday speech and thought. The study provides both a structured overview of these expressions and a basis for further exploration of the links between mathematics, language, and culture.

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