Like a Can Opener in a Worm Factory

"They can be virtually incomprehsible."

Grammatical and incomprehensible can go perfectly well together;)

& as you said, "i don't need to use my own understanding of correct English to differentiate my intelligence/understanding from that of those surrounding me". It's presumably a more effective status marker when those around you are getting it wrong. Or more satisfying to prove you know something, if you've learned it with difficulty.

[or maybe scientists are just more pedantic. We've got a whole shooting gallery of two-cultures stereotypes here, folks]