After thinking about it for a while it occurs to me that such a system would be very close to a programming-language-as-english, which doesn't exist now and despite several attempts doesn't appear to be coming any time soon.

And I don't believe it will ever come. The problem with every day English is that it isn't precise enough. Look for instance at math/physics in the 17th century. Why did it got such a boost at that time? Because then they moved away from formulating problems and solutions in natural languages (Latin, English, German, French) and started using math symbols.

It's the same with programming (and hence testing), you need to be accurate in what you describe. Hence, programming languages.

Abigail