According to Lubienski (2000), the ability of students in
communicating mathematical problems is supported by their
ability to understand language (Hulukati, 2005: 18). Even Baroody
(1993: 2-99) argues that there are two important reasons for
focusing mathematics teaching on communication, namely: (1)
mathematics is essentially a language; mathematics is more than
just a tool for thinking, a means of finding patterns, solving
problems, or making inferences, rather mathematics is also an
invaluable tool for communicating ideas clearly, precisely, and
concisely, and (2) mathematics and mathematics learning are, at
heart, social activities; as social activities in mathematics teaching,
interactions such as communication between teachers and among
students themselves, it is important to enhance the mathematical
potential of students. Due to the close relationship between
language and mathematics, Cooke and Buchholz (2005: 265)
suggest that teachers be able to make a connection between
mathematics and language. This connection can help students be
able to translate a problem into a mathematical problem, the
language of symbols, or mathematical models. This clarifies the
close relationship of mathematical communication skills and
proficiency.
Indonesia has a wide range of languages and natural resources,
especially coastal and cultural resources. Through SBC curriculum,
many of the local governments have made local languages the
subject of as the local content subject with the aim at preserving
local languages used by local communities. This initiative is not
anything wrong, but there are still many potentials of the regions,
especially those of coastal areas, that have not received sufficient
attention from educational institutions. In the coastal areas, where
land and ocean meet, live and interact diverse ecosystems allowing
easy access for human activity. People such as fishermen, farmers,
fish traders, sea product producers, living in coastal regions and small