Syntax is a decision of the language's developers. There is a tradition of using symbols in languages of the C family. Rust is in that space because it address

Syntax is a decision of the language's developers. There is a tradition of using symbols in languages of the C family. Rust is in that space because it addresses the same kind of problems that C solves. Familiar syntax helps developers to switch language. I guess that a Pascal like syntax for Rust is possible. Would C developers have liked it more or less than a C like one? My take is: less. An example of a compiled language with little use of symbols: COBOL.