Mathematics is not a language but a useless set of formal rules and unfamiliar

symbols.

Galileo Galilei quoted that, “Mathematics is the language in which God has

written the universe.” Most seemingly this quote is a summary of a statement of his

in Opere Il Saggiatore: [The universe] cannot be read until we have learnt the language

and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is in mathematical

language, and the letters are triangles, circle and other geometrical figures, without

which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word. In other words, we

cannot understand the things from our surroundings to the endless cosmos without

learning and understanding the language of mathematics. It is because of that language

we can learn and discover several things like the inventions we have today to

understanding celestial phenomena. Although it was claimed that mathematics is a

language, some argue and say otherwise. 

According to Helmenstine, Ph.D. (2019), a system of communication must have

several elements vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and people who use and understand it,

and having those elements would make that system of communication to be considered

a language. Coincidently, mathematics has its set of formal rules and symbols which

lead to the fact that it meets the said definition of a language. I agree that mathematics

is a language whether it is a discovery or a creation of man. Mathematics is not a

useless set of formal rules and unfamiliar symbols. Why? Firstly, those sets of formal

rules are the ones that govern mathematics as a language. Like the key rules of the

English language like the use of active voice, linking ideas with a conjunction, and the
use of the semicolon to join two ideas, Mathematic has its rules to make it things

systematic, and to guide the comprehension of man towards mathematics and their

usage of it. Secondly, these symbols are usually rendered in the speaker’s used

language. For example, the symbol “+” is translated to “plus” in the English language. In

other words, these symbols are not unfamiliar, for it takes time and effort to recognize

these symbols which would lead to us understanding them. 

Although mathematics has the elements needed for it to be considered an actual

language, some disagree on the claim of it being a language. According to Helmenstine,

Ph.D. (2019), some definitions of language label it as a form of communication that is

spoken or delivered verbally. Mathematics has the nature of being written as its form of

communication. Yes, some mathematical statements can be read aloud like simple

addition statements and whatnot, but it is much harder to read other equations aloud

like Maxwell’s equations. Researchers who study the brain also disagree on the claim of

mathematics is a language. According to Fitzgerald (2019), studies of the brain showed

results that language and mathematics each run a completely different route of the

brain. Furthermore, every type of mathematical reasoning used in the experiment

conducted for the studies activated different parts of the brain compared to the ones

activated by language processing and verbal semantics. These findings alone cast

serious claims and doubt against the common refrain of Mathematics is a language. 

Whether mathematics is decided to be a language or not, it is simply not a

useless set of formal rules and unfamiliar symbols. We must not ignore the fact that it is
through mathematics we can discover significant things that resulted in the evolution of

mankind and our technology. It assisted us in learning our past and predicting our

future. It also played a huge role in discovering the mystery of our universe. With all of

that mentioned, we must see mathematics, not in a bad light wherein we tend to

“cancel” it, but as a basic part of ourselves that we use to deepen our comprehension of

the things known and unknown.

 References:

Amalric, M., & Dehaene, S. (2016). Origins of the brain networks for advanced mathematics

in expert mathematicians. PNASÂ 113 (18), 4909-4917.Â

Fitzgerald, L. (2019, January 22). Math Is Not a Language. Retrieved from

https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/math-language.php

Helmenstine, A., Ph.D. (2017). Why Mathematics Is a Language. Retrieved from

https://www.thoughtco.com/why-mathematics-is-a-language-4158142

Spelke, E. S., & Tsivkin, S. (2001). Language and number: a bilingual training

study. Cognition 78, 45-88.

Musso, M. et al. (2003). Broca's area and the language instinct. Nature 6:7, 774-781.