On Mathematical Language: Characteristics, Semiosis and Indispensability

2021

Mathematicians and others often discuss mathematics as a universal language, and say that mathematics holds a special status among sciences. In particular, it is the language of science. In some way, it is the basis of the physical world, but globally it is beyond any other science, and it is not a mere servant of sciences. Apparently, mathematical language is simple, with a little grammar and a limited vocabulary, but very different from others. Unlike natural languages, it is a rigorously defined and unambiguous one. This characteristic constitutes its greatest advantage: its complete lack of ambiguity. Although it is limited in the range of things that can express, it can be adapted to t…