I think this is a good clarification. Complexity is the issue. I think everyone agrees that math can be explained in the spoken word. So, what is complex? Complex is when ideas come fast and furious. Complex is when ideas are jammed closely together in a vocabulary that requires a training to understand the individual notations. Most people don’t study math concepts. I would say less than 10% - maybe less. Whereas, most people who speak a given language - are more familiar with the rules of the road. This fact makes understanding any given concept, in the spoken word, more digestible. There are spoken concepts which are difficult to understand. However, I cannot think of any concept that defies understanding in the spoken word. Please, anyone, show me a concept that – we – cannot understand?Fan of Science wrote:
Whether this makes mathematical "language" more or less complex than the use of ordinary words is most likely dependent on how one defines complexity.
In math, the same is not true. Many complex formulas require training and most important desire to comprehend. Most people lack the desire to understand. This is the difference and the heart of the complexity issue. If a person does not desire to understand math – then they don’t understand. As a result – we say or they say – it is too complex for them. This is why less than 10% are conversant in mathematical language. Math is too complex for most people.