There are certain problems, I am noting that I am unable to solve because I cannot comprehend what exactly is being asked. The problems themselves might be non wordy, but I try to formulate it in english sentences while solving and I get all lost and I dont know where I am going. It is impossible to write down everything abstractly, and I am not accustomed to thinking in my native language using english words interspersed. For example, I wouldnt know the words in my language that stands for permutations and combinations distinctly.
I find it much easier to do symbolic manipulations than comprehending worded definitions, theorems and problems. Do I belong to the category of people who are yet to develop a reasonable facility in stating and understanding abstractions or might it be possible that language is a factor.
To give some background, I was schooled in a country where we spoke "X". This was the language I used at my house, with friends, while buying grocery, etc. But in the math classroom, the language was english. I was good at school mathematics, for example , I once did the manipulations to show that $\zeta(n) =\sum_{k=1}^\infty k^{-n} = \Pi \frac{1}{1-p^{-n}} $ in class. My teacher was impressed and recommended some advanced textbooks, I would read definitions and theorems again and again yet would fail to develop any connections whatsoever. I got so discouraged that only now have I picked up maths again to re-learn it
Now I am facing the same problem. Has anyone, or does anyone know of someone, who comes from a non-english background also has trouble with these kinds of problems or am I just one of those people who havent been promoted from formula manipulation to abstract thinking.