For example, the United Kingdom (UK) has a different metric system than the US, but the unit of measurement is just a system, viz. if is needed to measure the length of a wall, doesn’t matter if its 10 meters or 32.8 feet, the measurements are going to be equal (∵1 meter≃3.281 feet ).
This shared language of numbers is for all, not only for Mathematicians/Scientists.
In order to be considered a language, a system of communication must have a vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and people who use and understand it.
Mathematics meets all of these requirements.
The symbols (ϵ,δ,ρ,σ etc.) and their meanings, syntax
(4×5=20, could be stated as four times five equals twenty), and grammar/actions (operators +,-,÷,×,<,>,∑▒〖etc.〗) are the same throughout the world.
Let us try to translate a spoken/written language into a mathematical equation as under:
Mathematics is composed of definitions, theorems, axioms, postulates, numbers and concepts that can all generally be expressed as symbols. Through the symbolic representation of mathematical ideas, communication may occur that stands to break cultural barriers and unite all people using one common language.
Thus one can characterize Mathematics as a universal language as it is part of everything in nature. Mathematics is logic and logic is universal.
References:
1. Alan Ford & F. David Peat (1988), The Role of Language in Science, Foundations of Physics Vol 18.
2. Galileo Galilei, Il Saggiatore (in Italian) (Rome, 1623); The Assayer, English trans. Stillman Drake and C. D. O’Malley, in The Controversy on the Comets of 1618 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1960).
3. Klima, Edward S.; & Bellugi, Ursula. (1979). The signs of language. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
4. www.newscientist.com
5. www.thoughtco.com
6. www.prezi.com
Dr. Anil Taneja, is an Associate Professor of Mathematics in Skyline University Nigeria. He has a PhD. in Mathematics from M.D. University Rohtak, India.
You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria