Multilingualism, Social Inequality, and the Need for a Universal Language

Abstract

With globalization and the increased need for cross-cultural communication, it appears that multilingualism has become more entrenched than ever and that the capacity to speak multiple languages is a significant advantage in most societies. However, the ability to speak multiple languages is not evenly distributed and having a dominant language as an alternative often leads to social disparities. The current paper explores how languages are used currently around the world, and how language dynamics works these days. It then identifies the prevalent issues that could be § This work was supported by Research on the Future Strategy of Sejong University in 2022.

AI Chatbots and Linguistic Injustice

“…Lastly, another rather radical approach could be intoducing an artificial language into AI chatbot systems to cater to non-native English speakers, which could potentially help reduce inequality. This approach might enhance accessibility and comprehension for individuals who are not fluent in English, thereby promoting inclusivity and leveling the playing field in interactions with AI systems (Park & Tak 2017;Park & Chin 2020;Park 2021Park , 2022Park , 2023Chin 2023). However, it's crucial to ensure that the artificial language is effectively designed and implemented to accurately convey information and maintain clarity in communication.…”