Earlier quoted context omitted.
What about using two characters for assignment? a := 1 vs a = 1
":=" is type-inferred variable declaration and assignment, while "=" is just assignment.
With '=' I can "hyperthread" my typing. While I'm finishing the LHS and pressing space I can move my right hand to press '=', while keeping my left hand thumb in place to press the space bar for the right side.
With ':=' I have to stop everything to press shift with my left hand, then press ':', then release shift and press '='. It's very inefficient for something that happens often.