Artificial intelligence might have wide-ranging effects on the evolution of the English language and, in turn, on education, communication, and global knowledge sharing.
In an increasingly interconnected world, English has long been the global lingua franca, bridging diverse cultures and disciplines. But as we stand on the cusp of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, we must consider how this universal language might evolve—or be revolutionized—in the coming years. This article explores the concept of English as a programming language for human ideas, its potential transformation into an AI-improved version, and the implications this could have for education, communication, and global knowledge sharing. Along the way, we'll draw parallels and contrasts with George Orwell's dystopian vision of language control in his novel 1984 to better understand the possibilities and pitfalls of this linguistic revolution.
English as a Programming Language for Human Ideas
To understand the potential future of the English language, we must first recognize its current role as a tool for encoding and transmitting human thoughts. Just as computer programmers use specific languages to instruct machines, humans use natural languages to "transmit" ideas into the minds of others. With its global reach and adaptability, English has become a particularly powerful medium for this purpose.
The parallels between natural languages and programming languages are striking. Both have syntax and structure, logical flow, and the ability to convey complex ideas through a combination of simpler elements. As linguist Noam Chomsky famously proposed, "Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied."Footnote1 This variability allows for the expression of an infinite number of ideas through a finite set of linguistic rules—not unlike how a finite set of programming instructions can create an endless variety of software applications.
From the vast digital encyclopedia Wikipedia to the countless academic journals and research papers published each year, English is the primary medium for storing and sharing human knowledge across borders and disciplines. Its dominance in business, science, technology, and digital media has further cemented its position as the de facto language of global communication.
Encoding systems use simple algorithms such as parity to verify data integrity, whereas human languages rely on grammar and syntax to confirm the validity of text in the reader's mind. Reading is essentially an ongoing process of decoding data from a page and integrating it as thoughts into a person's mind. Writing is the encoding process. If used incorrectly, it can limit, miscommunicate, or truncate ideas.
Orwell's Vision: Newspeak and Doublespeak
As we consider the future of English, it's instructive to look back at one of the most famous fictional explorations of language control: George Orwell's 1984. In this dystopian novel, Orwell introduced the concept of Newspeak, a language designed by the totalitarian government to limit the range of ideas that could be expressed. By simplifying vocabulary and eliminating nuance, Newspeak aimed to eliminate "thoughtcrime."
Orwell wrote, "The purpose of Newspeak was not only to provide a medium of expression for the world-view and mental habits proper to the devotees of Ingsoc but to make all other modes of thought impossible."Footnote2 This extreme form of linguistic determinism posited that by controlling language, one could control thought itself.
Alongside Newspeak, Orwell also explored the concept of doublespeak—language used to distort or obscure its actual meaning. Although less formalized than Newspeak, doublespeak serves a similar purpose of controlling thought through language manipulation. We see echoes of this in modern political euphemisms and corporate jargon, where words are often used to soften harsh realities or to create ambiguity.
The Rise of AI-Improved English
As we move further into the age of AI, we're witnessing the emergence of what could be called "English 2.0"—a version of the language enhanced and potentially transformed by AI capabilities. Unlike Orwell's Newspeak, which aimed to restrict thought, AI-improved English has the potential to expand our linguistic capabilities in unprecedented ways.
Natural language processing technologies are already enhancing our ability to communicate across language barriers. AI-powered translation tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, breaking down cultural and linguistic divides. But the potential of AI goes far beyond translation. We're seeing the development of systems that can generate human-like text, summarize complex documents, and even engage in nuanced conversation.
Although these systems can produce incredibly fluent and contextually appropriate text, they lack the deep understanding and intentionality that characterize human language use. Computational linguist Emily Bender notes, "Language models are picking up patterns in the data they're trained on, but they're not actually learning meaning in the way that humans do."Footnote3 This distinction is crucial as we consider the future of AI-improved English.
The potential of English 2.0 as a more efficient knowledge-encoding system is immense. AI could help create a standardized form of English optimized for clarity and precision, potentially reducing misunderstandings in fields such as science, law, and international diplomacy. However, this standardization also raises questions about the richness and cultural nuances that might be lost in the process.
Implications for Education and Communication
The emergence of AI-improved English has profound implications for education and communication. Traditional writing skills may become less important as AI systems become better at generating and editing text. Instead, the emphasis might shift to idea generation, critical thinking, and the ability to effectively prompt and direct AI language tools.
This shift is already visible in some academic circles. Interestingly, some journals have begun to scrutinize well-written articles for potential AI assistance, leading to a paradoxical situation in which authors might intentionally "dumb down" their writing to avoid suspicion. This development echoes Orwell's 1984, where complex expression becomes suspect, albeit for very different reasons.
The future of language learning could also be transformed. Instead of spending years mastering grammar and vocabulary, students might focus on conceptual understanding and cultural knowledge, relying on AI for real-time language production and translation. This educational shift could democratize global communication, but it also could create a dependency on AI systems for basic linguistic tasks.
AI-Improved English: A Modern Form of Newspeak?
While the comparison between AI-improved English and Orwell's Newspeak might seem far-fetched, there are some thought-provoking parallels to consider. Both represent a form of engineered language change (albeit with vastly different intents). Whereas Newspeak aimed to limit thought, AI-improved English could expand our expressive capabilities. However, the power to shape language evolution would be partially ceded to AI systems, raising questions about control and intentionality in language development.
Moreover, the standardization of language across global culture through AI could lead to a homogenization of expression. Although this might improve clarity in some contexts, it could also lead to a loss of linguistic diversity and unique perspectives. As linguist David Crystal warns, "If the development of a global language meant the death of other languages, that would be too high a price to pay."Footnote4
The Future of Human–AI Language Interaction
In the more distant future, the way humans interact with AI-improved English could change dramatically. We might move beyond traditional reading and writing to more direct forms of communication. Some futurists envision direct brain–computer interfaces that could allow thoughts to be translated instantly into this optimized language, facilitating unprecedented levels of global collaboration and idea sharing.
However, such developments also raise profound ethical questions. If AI becomes the mediator of our communications, who controls the algorithms that shape our language? How do we ensure transparency and prevent subtle forms of thought control or manipulation?
Navigating the Linguistic Revolution
As we stand at the threshold of this linguistic revolution, it's clear that the future of English—and of human communication—is inextricably linked with the development of AI. AI-improved English offers the potential for enhanced global understanding and knowledge sharing. However, we must remain vigilant to ensure that this evolution enhances rather than restricts human thought and expression.
The challenges ahead are significant. We must grapple with questions of linguistic diversity, the changing nature of language skills, and the ethical implications of AI-mediated communication. Education systems will need to adapt, focusing more on critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning—skills that will remain uniquely human in an AI-dominated linguistic landscape.
Ultimately, the future of the English language in the age of AI is not predetermined. It will be shaped by the choices we make as educators, policymakers, technologists, and global citizens. By engaging critically with these developments, we can strive to create a future where technology enhances our linguistic capabilities without compromising the rich, diverse nature of human expression.
As we navigate this new linguistic frontier, let us heed the words of Orwell himself, not as a prophecy of doom but as a call for vigilance: "If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought."Footnote5 In the age of AI-improved English, our task is to ensure that language continues to liberate and expand thought—not constrain it.
Notes
- Noam Chomsky, Language and Problems of Knowledge: The Managua Lectures (MIT Press, 1988), 138. Jump back to footnote 1 in the text.
- George Orwell, 1984 (London: Secker & Warburg, 1949), 312. Jump back to footnote 2 in the text.
- Emily M. Bender and Alexander Koller, "Climbing Towards NLU: On Meaning, Form, and Understanding in the Age of Data," in Proceedings of the 58th Annual Meeting of the Association for Computational Linguistics, eds. Dan Jurafsky, Joyce Chai, Natalie Schluter, Joel Tetreault(2020), 5185–5198. Jump back to footnote 3 in the text.
- David Crystal, English as a Global Language, 2nd ed. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003), 191. Jump back to footnote 4 in the text.
- George Orwell, "Politics and the English Language," Horizon 13, no. 76 (1946): 252–265. Jump back to footnote 5 in the text.
Szymon Machajewski is Associate Director of Academic Technology and Learning Innovation at University of Illinois Chicago.
© 2024 Szymon Machajewski. The content of this work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 International License.