I think this still illustrates the problem, though: where is the start of the number line? Perhaps this alien species has a right-to-left written language. Or t

I think this still illustrates the problem, though: where is the start of the number line? Perhaps this alien species has a right-to-left written language. Or top to bottom. How would one help orient the alien to the left to right numbering system used in this language? Very interesting thought experiment while drinking my coffee this morning!