I disagree. Language is about expressiveness, simplification in language is about reducing expressiveness which is neither normal nor natural, nor a good thing. Basically, thinking of UI as a language in order to make sweeping statements about simplification is a really bad idea.
I think we're talking about simplification in different contexts. Overtime symbols get simplified. That doesn't restrict the manner in which those symbols may be combined. Nor does it mean that, people won't embellish when they feel the need.
