The following is layman speculation: Computer languages are constructed by a single party, with a logic and purpose behind every feature, and the flexibility t

The following is layman speculation: Computer languages are constructed by a single party, with a logic and purpose behind every feature, and the flexibility to make unilateral decisions about their design. It’s reasonable that they should start simply and grow in complexity. Spoken languages, by contrast, evolve out of a behavior soup. There are no rules, particularly in the early days—just look at how long English spelling went without standardization. In an environment without rules, an unnecessarily large number of solutions to a small set of problems will develop; everyone is re-inventing the wheel. As culture solidifies, rules emerge. Best practices and linguistic “cow paths” are formed, and something resembling design emerges from the muck.