[ahomescu1]

> The ordering of digits in Arabic is not obviously relevant, per se, since spoken English ("one hundred twenty one") matches the order of the Arabic numbers, too.

I think it is relevant. It is possible that Western mathematics copied the Arabic notation (with right-to-left numbers), without also copying the correct way to read it (also right-to-left). For a similar situation in language, think of accents and the many different ways you can pronounce the same word.

[kylebgorman]

Unlikely. Cardinal numbers in Old English, long before the slightest chance of contact with Arabs, were virtually identical to the modern system with respect to order of terms.

"For a similar situation in language, think of accents and the many different ways you can pronounce the same word."

Could you be more specific as to what you mean?

[ahomescu1]

I mean the writing is identical, but the pronounciation varies wildly.