TALKING TECHNOLOGY, TRANSFORMING TONGUES: A LINGUISTIC STUDY OF AI AND LANGUAGE CHANGE

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming contemporary communication by reshaping how humans produce, interpret, and exchange language. Consequently, AI-mediated communication has emerged as a significant area of linguistic inquiry because intelligent technologies are increasingly participating in processes of language production and transformation. However, while previous studies have examined AI’s technical capabilities and practical applications, its broader role in shaping language change, discourse patterns, and linguistic diversity remains underexplored. Therefore, this study examines how AI influences contemporary language change and explores the opportunities and challenges created by AI-mediated communication. A qualitative research approach was adopted, and the study was grounded in an interpretivist research philosophy. Data were collected through document analysis and textual examination of AI-generated texts, digital communication samples, and relevant scholarly literature. Furthermore, thematic analysis and discourse-oriented interpretation were employed to identify emerging linguistic patterns and meanings. The findings revealed that AI has become an influential agent of language change by affecting vocabulary selection, sentence construction, discourse organization, and writing practices. Moreover, AI-assisted communication has enhanced accessibility and supported multilingual interaction; however, it has also raised concerns regarding linguistic standardization, algorithmic bias, and the marginalization of low-resource languages. The study has advanced understanding of AI as a linguistic force rather than merely a technological tool. Consequently, it highlights the need for inclusive AI development that recognizes linguistic diversity. Therefore, future AI systems should be designed to support underrepresented languages, promote ethical communication practices, and maintain a balanced relationship between human creativity and machine-generated language..