> However it is another language to learn and as such needs standardisation to be useful. If I go to another country and start driving the road symbols mean something else.

A lot of countries seem to standardise on similar signs. I have not had a difficulty driving in different countries and visiting more.

Cars are even more standardised. The controls vary very little.

There is a definitely problem with GUIs and the problem seems to be aesthetics and branding trump function.