The Language of Science

By:  Robert L. White

            Just as music has a special relationship with time, science has a special relationship with language. Music exists within time. The concepts of Harmony, Melody and Rhythm make no sense without some progression in time. In much the same way, science would be useless without some means of communication. Since it cannot be denied that science operates by building knowledge, usually in small increments, by adding to the work of others who have come before, language becomes a primary concern. Not just any form of language will do either. It must be what the philosophers refer to as “higher” language. Words must be used with far more precision and care than in ordinary conversation. Since science relies on independent verification, one scientist must be able to clearly understand what another has done. It is clear that science and language are inextricably intertwined.

            One cannot begin any discussion of the uses of language without first discussing the necessity of language for all abstract human reasoning.  It is possible to imagine the difficulties faced by our ancestors, before the development of a full language. Simple maps must have come first, sparse representations of reality scratched into the sand to convey the idea of some source of food, or the location of some danger. The difficulties must have seemed insurmountable. Somewhere, though, some early Hominid made a breakthrough. Somehow the idea that the line in the sand represented some geological feature was conveyed, and true abstraction in language was born. It is not possible to communicate about anything other than here and now without the use of abstract thought. In communicating to another human about something other than here and now, language was, and is, a necessity. It may have been through the need for communication that language began its role in shaping higher level human reasoning. Once sounds or pictures began to be used symbolically in communication, the combination of symbolic representation and memory could interact to become the essence of what we consider to be human, consciousness. The relationship between language and awareness has developed to the point where we, as humans, think in words. Many of the martial arts begin with exercises designed to eliminate this “mindspeak” and clear the conscious. Anyone who has ever tried this knows the difficulties inherent in separating thought and language.

            Since science is focused on asking questions, how to formulate them and ask appropriate levels of inquiry, it is therefore inextricably tied to the abstract.  We as humans have no other way of dealing with that which is not physically present. Language is the mode of transportation for ideas. It follows then, that it is in the best interest of all involved with science that a universally understood language be used.

            Throughout Europe in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, Latin became the language of choice for scholarly work. Why Latin, as opposed to Greek or Arabic is probably more a function of politics than propriety. Ancient texts, often read by the pseudo-scientist of earlier times were often written in Greek or other ancient tongues. As the west went through the dark ages, and learning and development of civilization stalled, the west was overrun by the peoples of the east. These included the Arabs whose empire was the only center for learning for centuries. When the west finally began to seek knowledge and strive for truth again, the only surviving copies of ancient works were to be found in the Arabic world. The western nations must have been loath to use this language, after suffering many defeats by the Arabs in battles from the Middle East to Spain.  Latin was probably adopted as an ancient “western” tongue. Also of influence must have been the transition from magic and pseudo-science such as the ancient alchemists to true science. The early alchemists, more magician than scientist, probably used Latin because of the secrecy involved with a tongue that no one else knew how to speak. One of the defining features of magic is secrecy. If no one else knows the secret words, the magician has power that others do not.

            So it is Latin was used universally as the language of science. This is still evident in such things as the Latin names given every living thing by biologists. A system of naming, originated by the Swedish botanists Carl Linnaeus, is in use to this day utilizing Latin names for all organisms. Why still use Latin names today? Just as in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, the aim is clearer communication. For example, suppose that two scientists wish to discuss some aspect of entomology. The discussion turns to potato bugs, also know as the mangy sow bug.  One of the scientists is American, the other French. The American knows the bug in question well, although the French scientist has no clue what this bug might be (in France it is known as the Cloporte, but the American scientist does not know French!). A problem in communication here is evident, as is the need for the Latin name of the bug, Porcellio scaber. Once a common name is used, discussion can begin

            With Latin being the language of science, it seems strange to find out that Galileo wrote his famous works in vernacular Italian. Copernicus before him wrote in Latin. Was this because he understood the repercussions his work would have?  Certainly Galileo must have understood the same repercussions of his own writings. It is obvious then, that he wrote in vernacular Italian so that everyone could read it. The movement from an earth centered universe to a sun centered solar system meant that the old concepts of reality purported by the catholic church were in danger. Also in danger then, was the church’s grip on society as a whole. No other single event had the same social consequences as the publication of Galileo’s work. The fact that he chose to write not in the accepted universal language of science, but in the common tongue of his own people shows also his perception of the role of science in society. Since science aided, by defining appropriate questions and mechanism of answering them, the removal of ignorance from human thought, it was a threat to the church. Until Martin Luther, remember that only the priesthood was allowed to interpret the Bible, which was the source for all important thought. It was through ignorance or the masses that the church controlled them politically. Galileo’s publication in common language is a prime example of both the importance of scientific work to the human race and the need for a precise method of communication.

            Finally, we come to the idea of precision and mathematics in science. Is mathematics the language of science? No. Certainly, it can and should be considered part of the alphabet of science, but it cannot be considered to be the language of science. Each branch of science has it’s own special set of symbols and words which have a very specific meaning when used in the context of the field of science in which it is used. A case in point is organic chemistry. Single hook and double hook arrows, chemical symbols, charge indicators (+/-) and words all play as equally important roles as mathematics. In Biology, we have Q10, codons, genus-species names, and numerous other phrases which mean different things than the meaning commonly associated with vernacular English. While mathematics is usually associated with “hard science”, it cannot be thought of the only component of science. Quantification has become an important tool for scientists. Overuse of quantification can lead to reductionism. Clinging to the idea that all things can be reduced to their component parts and thus quantified is dangerous to the continued existence of science. Just as the alchemists of old steeped their work in mystery and magic, modern day scientists must be wary of clouding their work with numbers. Interpretation of data requires words, thoughts and abstraction. Only thus can science be of any use. Communication is really the essence of science. If research is not openly communicated, it is worthless. Knowledge gained by a recluse in an ivory tower which dies with him does no one any good.

            Science is, then, about us. It is about the relationship which man has with the universe. It is how we see ourselves and our place in the overall scheme of things. The scientific revolution then is better ascribed to Galileo than Copernicus. While it was Copernicus’ work which began it, it was the moment of publication of Galileo’s work in vernacular Italian, open and accessible to everyone, that the real age of science dawned. May the light of enlightenment continue to shine upon us!