Chapter 132
AI, WRITING ABOUT LANGUAGES
Languages are communication systems used by people to express thoughts, emotions, and needs. There are approximately 7,000 languages in the world, each with its own grammatical structure, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Recently in Papua New Guinea, the Pope expressed his gratitude for the welcome he received, confessing that he feels admired and captivated by the “extraordinary cultural richness” of this archipelago with hundreds of islands, where more than eight hundred languages are spoken, as many ethnic groups as there are in this territory. “I imagine that this enormous variety,” he said with sympathy, “is a challenge for the Holy Spirit, who creates harmony from differences.”
They vary widely in complexity, phonetics, and grammar. Some, such as Mandarin Chinese, have tones that change the meaning of words, while others, such as English, depend on the order of sentences. They are grouped into families that share a common origin; examples include the Indo-European family (to which English, Spanish, and Russian belong) and the Sino-Tibetan family (which includes Chinese and Tibetan).
Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers, followed by Spanish and English. However, English is the most widely spoken language as a lingua franca, used as a means of communication between people who do not share a native language.
Languages are constantly advancing; new words and expressions appear, while others fall into disuse. Contact between cultures can also give rise to pidgins and creoles, which are mixed languages.
Many languages are in danger of extinction, especially those spoken by small communities. It is estimated that one language dies every two weeks, and with it, an important part of humanity's cultural heritage is lost.
Learning a new language stimulates the brain and improves cognitive skills; it is also an effective way to understand and appreciate other cultures. Not all languages have a writing system; most of the world's languages are only oral, meaning that they are passed down from generation to generation without a written form and they reflect the culture and environment of their speakers; they affect the knowledge of the people who speak them.
They address the creation of artificial languages such as Esperanto and their purpose. For example, some Inuit languages ( spoken by the Inuit, an indigenous people who inhabit Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Greenland) have multiple words to describe snow, something essential in their daily lives. Languages have evolved over time, from Proto-Indo-European to modern languages; Latin influenced the creation of Romance languages such as Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.
Different languages have given rise to great literary works, and translation affects their interpretation. Dissimilar theories explain how we learn languages, both native and foreign, and the cognitive and social benefits of being bilingual or multilingual. Today, digital tools such as apps and software are revolutionizing language learning; artificial intelligence is improving machine translation; advances in speech recognition are changing the way we interact with technology; official language policy in different countries influences national identity; in educational systems and the challenges of multilingualism in the classroom. This should be explored, complemented by the concept of linguistic rights and how to protect minority languages because globalization is affecting linguistic diversity and the dominance of English as a lingua franca; languages are adapting and evolving in the digital world, with great efforts to preserve and revitalize languages in danger of extinction.
Structure of languages:
Phonology – This studies sounds and how they combine to form words. Every language has a unique set of sounds, known as phonemes.
Morphology – This concerns the structure of words and how they are formed from roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
Syntax – This studies how words are combined to form sentences. Every language has specific rules about word order and sentence structure.
Semantics – This deals with the meaning of words and sentences. The same word can have different meanings depending on the context.
Languages and society: In some countries, one or more languages are designated as official languages for use in public administration, education and other formal contexts. Language influences the way we think and perceive the world, a linguistic concept.
Like society, they evolve over time, a process that can be influenced by social, political, technological and cultural factors. New languages can also emerge through the mixing of languages, as is the case of pidgins , simplified languages that develop as a means of communication between groups that do not share a common language. So-called creole languages are languages that have developed from a pidgin, when it becomes the mother tongue of a community and acquires greater linguistic complexity. They arise in specific contexts between different linguistic groups that are often in contact due to reasons such as trade, colonization or slavery. Both types of languages are fascinating examples of how languages can evolve and adapt in response to the needs of communication in multicultural contexts. Bilingualism and multilingualism : In many societies, people speak more than one language. This may be a result of the coexistence of different ethnic groups or the need to communicate in a globalized world. Lingua francas : These are languages used as a means of communication between people who do not share a mother tongue, such as English, an example of a global lingua franca.
Different languages have given rise to great literary works and translation affects their interpretation. Different theories explain how we learn languages, both native and foreign, and the cognitive and social benefits of being bilingual or multilingual. Today, digital tools, such as applications and software, are revolutionizing language learning; artificial intelligence is improving automatic translation; advances in voice recognition are changing the way we interact with technology; official language policy in different countries influences national identity; educational systems and the challenges of multilingualism in classrooms must be explored, complemented by the concept of linguistic rights and how to protect minority languages because globalization is affecting linguistic diversity and the dominance of English as a lingua franca; languages are adapting and evolving in the digital world, with great efforts to preserve and revitalize endangered languages.
Languages and society: In some countries, one or more languages are designated as official for use in public administration, education, and other formal contexts. Language influences the way we think and perceive the world – a linguistic concept.
Languages are not static; they evolve over time, a process that can be influenced by social, political, technological and cultural factors. New languages can also emerge through the mixing of languages, as is the case with creoles, or through processes of linguistic standardization and unification.
So-called creole languages are languages that arise in specific contexts of contact between different linguistic groups. A pidgin is a simplified language that develops as a means of communication between groups that do not share a common language; they are usually in contact due to reasons such as trade, colonization or slavery.
Creole : a language developed from a pidgin when it becomes the native language of a community and acquires greater linguistic complexity.
Both types of languages are fascinating examples of how languages can evolve and adapt in response to the needs of communication in multicultural contexts.
Language learning:
Language acquisition : Children acquire their mother tongue naturally during the first years of life, through interaction with their environment.
Second language learning : Learning a new language may be easier in childhood, but it is possible at any stage of life. Methods vary from total immersion to the use of apps and online resources. Each country has its own path towards defining its official language(s), influenced by its particular history and internal dynamics. The definition of languages in each country is a complex process, affected by historical, political, cultural and social factors that we illustrate with a general idea of how this process has been transmitted in different contexts:
Colonization and Imperialism : Many countries adopted the language of their colonizers. For example, in Latin America, Spanish and Portuguese became the predominant languages due to Spanish and Portuguese colonization, respectively. In Africa, English, French, and Portuguese are common due to the European colonial presence.
National unification : In some countries, a language was chosen as a symbol of national unity. This occurred, for example, in Italy, where the language, based on the Tuscan dialect, was promoted as the official language to better unite the country after its unification in the 19th century.
Independence and decolonization : In the process of decolonization, many newly independent countries adopted the language of the former colonizer as their official language to avoid conflicts between different internal linguistic groups. This is common in African and Asian countries where multiple languages and dialects coexist.
Indigenous languages and cultural nationalism : Some countries have promoted indigenous languages as part of an effort to preserve their culture and reject colonial influence. For example, in Paraguay, Guaraní is a co-official language alongside Spanish.
Education and media policies : The expansion of public education and mass media has played a key role in the diffusion and consolidation of national languages. In many cases, the official language is promoted through the education system and is the language of public administration and the media.
Political agreements and multilingualism : In countries with a high level of linguistic diversity, multiple official languages have been adopted. An example of this is Switzerland, which has four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh, reflecting its cultural and linguistic diversity.
Independence and autonomy movements : in some cases, regions within a country have fought for the recognition of their language as an official language. This has happened in Spain, where Catalan, Galician and Basque are co-official languages in their respective autonomous communities.
Modern language learning and development systems, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), have significantly transformed the process of acquiring a new language; these modern AI-powered methodologies are redefining language teaching, allowing for more interactive, accurate, and personalized learning. Some of the current approaches and tools that are making a difference:
1. Personalized learning platforms
Tools like Duolingo , Babbel , and Memrise employ AI algorithms that analyze user progress to personalize learning content. The AI adjusts difficulty and topics based on the learner’s strengths and weaknesses, thereby optimizing the experience.
2. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants
Apps like Replika or voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri allow students to interact in real time with chatbots in multiple languages. These bots use AI to simulate realistic conversations, allowing students to constantly practice and improve their fluency.
3. Pronunciation recognition and correction
Tools like Elsa Speak and Mondly use AI to analyze a user’s pronunciation, offering detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement. These platforms compare the user’s speech to native pronunciation and provide corrective exercises.
4. Machine and assisted translation
Now, apps like Google Translate and DeepL use neural networks to deliver highly accurate instant translations. Tools like Linguee also provide contextual examples, helping students understand how certain words or phrases are used.
5. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual immersion
AI combined with augmented reality allows students to immerse themselves in language environments without leaving home. Apps like Mondly VR create virtual experiences where the user can interact in various everyday scenarios, improving understanding and practical use of the language.
6. Writing analysis and grammar correction
Platforms like Grammarly and Write & Improve use AI to review texts written in multiple languages, providing stylistic corrections and suggestions, useful not only for correcting errors, but also for learning new structures and improving writing.
7. Neural network-based learning
AI, using deep neural networks, can identify complex patterns in language learning. This means that as more users use these platforms, the systems learn and improve the way they teach, adapting more precisely to individual needs.
These modern systems have made it easier to access high-quality language learning resources from anywhere and at any pace. By integrating AI, students can benefit from a personalized, accessible and efficient experience because they are designed to improve the efficiency and personalization of the learning process with different methodologies:
1. Adaptive learning
AI analyzes each student's progress and difficulties to adjust content in real time. This is achieved through algorithms that monitor performance and adapt lessons to focus on areas where the student needs more practice. Platforms such as Duolingo and Busuu apply this technique to personalize language learning.
2. Gamification
Integrating gaming elements into the learning process, such as rewards, challenges, and levels, is an AI-driven trend to maintain motivation and engagement. By combining entertainment with education, AI ensures that content is dynamic and engaging. Tools like Lingvist and Memrise use AI to gamify learning.
3. Spaced repetition systems (SRS)
Spaced repetition systems use AI to optimize when a student should review a word or concept. The AI adjusts the review interval based on the difficulty level and the student’s retention history, helping long-term memory to consolidate effectively. Anki and Quizlet employ this methodology.
4. Voice recognition and pronunciation
AI analyzes the user’s pronunciation, identifying errors and offering feedback. Tools like Rosetta Stone and Elsa Speak use speech recognition technology to evaluate the student’s speech and suggest improvements based on the native accent.
5. Conversational chatbots
AI-powered chatbots allow you to simulate conversations in the target language, creating real-time practice scenarios. These bots, like those from Mondly and Replika , adapt to the user’s level and offer a safe environment to practice without the pressure of interacting with native speakers.
6. Automatic grammar and style correction
Tools like Grammarly or LanguageTool use AI to analyze the user’s text, correct grammatical errors, and suggest stylistic improvements. These platforms don’t just point out errors, they explain why certain structures are incorrect, facilitating deeper learning.
7. Virtual immersion and augmented reality
AI combined with virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) provides immersive experiences that simulate real-life situations in the language being learned. Apps like Mondly VR allow users to practice conversations in virtual environments, reinforcing comprehension and fluency skills in an interactive way.
8. Advanced machine translation
With tools like DeepL and Google Translate , AI systems can translate text more accurately thanks to neural networks. AI doesn't just translate words, it understands the context of sentences, improving the accuracy and fluency of translations, making it easier to understand content in other languages.
9. Analysis of sentiment and tone in writing
AI can identify tone and emotional nuances in texts. This is useful for language learners who want to master writing at a more advanced level, learning to adapt their style according to social or cultural context.
10. Collaborative learning with AI
Platforms like Tandem and HelloTalk connect language learners with native speakers using AI, which organizes language exchanges based on preferences and skill levels. This methodology encourages mutual learning and practice of real conversation.
These modern AI methodologies are redefining language teaching, enabling more interactive, accurate and personalized learning.
AI Opinion: Your article on languages and artificial intelligence offers a clear and detailed view of linguistic diversity and its evolution. You have managed to explore key aspects such as phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics, as well as social issues such as bilingualism and the preservation of minority languages. The concepts of creoles and pidgins enrich the analysis by showing how languages reflect cultural adaptation.
The inclusion of artificial intelligence for language learning seems to me to be a great approach. The use of AI to personalize learning, facilitate oral practice with chatbots, or correct pronunciation, is revolutionizing the way people acquire new languages. Tools such as Duolingo or Replika show how technology can bring learners closer to daily practice more effectively.
I also highlight how you link the evolution of languages with historical and social factors, such as colonization and globalization. This contextualizes very well the impact of languages on the culture and identity of peoples. Excellent work!
