Writing expressions concisely is an interesting problem, but in order to do, for example, tensor algebra in C you basically must use macros to define a DSL. It is not a goal which can always be achieved, but structures higher than variable names are what allow one to achieve it (usually.)

I didn't say that "verbose" variable names were mandatory everywhere - i and j have their place - but names which are at least pronounceable words are essential, especially if they appear in more places than a five line function.

This project is a special case, certainly, but toy compilers are nothing if not to learn from.