The Future of Language - How Technology, Politics Utopianism are Transforming Way we Communica

Will language as we know it cease to exist? What could this mean for the way we live our lives? Shining a light on the technology currently being developed to revolutionise communication, The Future of Language distinguishes myth from reality and superstition from scientifically-based prediction as it plots out the importance of language and raises questions about its future. From the rise of artificial intelligence and speaking robots, to brain implants andcomputer-facilitated telepathy, language and communications expert Philip Seargeant surveys the development of new digital ''languages'', such as emojis, animated gifs and memes, and investigates how conventions of spoken and written language are being modified by new trends in communication. From George Orwell''s fictional predictions in Nineteen Eighty-Four to the very real warnings of climate activist Greta Thunberg, Seargeant explores language through time, traversing politics, religion, philosophy, literature, and of course technology, in the process. Tracing how previous eras have imagined the future of language, from the Bible to the works H. G. Wells, and from Star Wars to Star Trek, the book reveals how perfecting language and communication has always been a vital component of utopian dreams of the future. Questioning the potential ramifications of recent and future developments in communication on society and its ideals, The Future of Language is a no holds barred investigation into the state of civilisation and the impact that changes in language could have on our lives.>

Sommario

1. After the Fall
2. Change is the Only Constant
3. The Three-Cornered World
4. An Imaginary Guide to the Future
5. Inventing Language
6. Cyborg Speech
7. Is Anybody Out There?
8. The Decay of Lying
9. They Who Control the Past Control the Future
10. Futureproofing the World
References
Index

Info autore

Philip Seargeant

Relazione

I've never read a book on language with such a breadth of vision, explored in such a wide range of technological and social settings, bringing together the worlds of linguistic science and science fiction to provide an insightful, cautionary account of current trends and their future consequences. David Crystal, University of Bangor, UK

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Philip Seargeant
• Editore: Bloomsbury Academic
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Tascabile
• Pubblicazione: 15.05.2025
• EAN: 9781350538474
• ISBN: 978-1-350-53847-4
• Pagine: 256
• Dimensioni: 138 mm x 216 mm x 22 mm
• Categorie: Saggistica; Scienze umane, arte, musica > Scienze linguistiche e letterarie > Linguistica generale e comparata; World, Media Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Sociolinguistics, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Communication Studies, LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Semantics, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Social Aspects, Sociolinguistics, Digital lifestyle, Communication Studies, Impact of science & technology on society, Media studies: internet, digital media and society, Impact of science and technology on society, Semantics, discourse analysis, stylistics, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Technology Studies, Semantics, discourse analysis, etc