Why Language Matters: Part I

Narratives, Mythmaking, Ukraine and AI

**Subject to updates after further research**

With the current developments in the area of AI and machine learning, we’ve come to a situation where language is devalued; its meaning is secondary; and quantity and speed of obtaining linguistic outputs is what matters most (whether it be the case of copywriting, translation or, in some cases, journalism). Whoever can get the news, articles, blogs – “content” – out first and in the cheapest possible way, wins. Whoever can get translations out in the world for the least amount of money, and in the shortest time possible, wins.

So, is the power of language waning?

If we only look at the last “You don’t have the cards” meeting of Trump and Vance with Zelenskyy, we can see what power language holds. The meeting was conducted in English, which was Trump’s and Vance’s first language, but not Zelenskyy’s. The American duo were able to dominate the exchange and get their ideas across faster and in a more eloquent and assertive way. It is only after the fact that it’s become apparent that Zelenskyy should’ve used the services of an interpreter; it would’ve given him the time necessary to respond confidently and communicate more assertively.

Source

But that perhaps also points to the current situation…

Translation is “dying”; but what about language and semantics (meaning)?

This series of articles goes to suggest that language is very much alive, and the way we use it matters. And this is especially reflected in the current international affairs, mainly in the multi-dimensional conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Informational fastfood

We live in a sort of “informational fastfood”. You are being fed (news and information), all in the form of language, but are you getting the calories and nutrients you need for growth (the facts needed for critical thinking)? I think we all know the answer to that. And I’m not saying I’m going to provide this information here, but it’s certainly something to think about.

And it’s exactly this “informational fastfood” that has led me to think about the importance and role of language in our lives. That and

Timothy Snyder

’s lectures on the Making of Modern Ukraine.

Does language and the way we use it matter in the age of AI and constant stream of (mis)information?

Is it being degraded by the quantity of content we consume, or are forced to consume, daily?

The ensuing sections go to argue that there is more to the purpose of language than just churning out content for brands, writing hooks and squeezing in SEO keywords. This might truly be very well done by AI, no doubt about it.

Language, however, is “embedded in broader social structures, including power relations, identity, and history”.

Let’s have a look at what this means in the real world.

Language and History

American historian Timothy Snyder emphasises how we use language in relation to countries, events and history, and how that can change our perception of these concepts – of the history of nations and states.

For example, fairly recently, almost coinciding with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European and American media outlets, which publish content in English, switched to using “Kyiv” (Київ) instead of “Kiev” (Киев) for the designation of the Ukrainian capital. The former is a transliteration from Ukrainian; the latter is a transliteration from Russian.

This has probably been done as a matter of respect for the Ukrainian culture, people and language. It would suggest that, yes, language seems to matter to people – especially how we refer to places. The way we spell a word may be a show of respect; or, on the other hand, disrespect. And not only that: a name can reflect history, significance, meaning or development.

Take, for example, the names of the two adversaries: Vladimir and Volodymyr – they both originate in the same name, Valdemar, which is Scandinavian. The name took on a different form, depending on the region, peoples and historical nuances. Few people realise that these two leaders’ names actually share the same etymology.

No one demonstrated the evolution of linguistic concepts better than Tolkien in his Saga of the Jewels and the Rings, where each name can be traced and linked and related not only to other created concepts and world-building elements, but also to “real-world”, historical and linguistic phenomena.

Tolkien knew that if he wanted to create a believable and deep (hi)story and imaginary world, he would need the language to reflect that. And the other way around: if you want a language to be lasting and have meaning, you need to attach history or context to it. In linguistic terms, we could call this “etymology”.

And that brings us to the title of this article: Why language matters.

It’s exactly because language reflects the culture and history of peoples that it matters. History of language, or etymology, if studied, might point us to various events and developments, and illuminate how these influenced the names and designations we use for various concepts. And thereby, we can see the relationship between the “real world”, its history and the language we use to describe it – in Saussurean terms, the distinction and relationship between the signifier and the signified.

Language and history are inevitably intertwined; and this combination often results in the emergence of what we may call “narratives”.

Part II on Narratives coming later this month.