Language, Power, and Identity in AI-Mediated Communication: A Sociolinguistic Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64137/XXXXXXXX/IJLLH-V1I1P103Keywords:
AI-mediated communication, Sociolinguistics, Language models, Power dynamics, Identity, Social bias, linguistic accommodation, Digital dialects, Minority voices, SocioindexicalityAbstract
The swift emergence of AI in digital communication has transformed the world of sociolinguistics, leading to important questions about language, power and identity when we use AI in communication. Certain AI systems, like conversational agents and large language models, help determine how languages evolve, how people interact and what identities are expressed. Such systems commonly agree with existing hierarchies, because their data may not equally include the voices of minorities, resulting in stereotyping. Even so, AI supports empowerment, as minority-focused systems can even out power differences and encourage groups to make decisions that everyone agrees on. The special qualities of accent, intonation and speech type in AI-generated speech can affect people’s choices and may help form new ways of communicating. When users deal with AI that sounds like a person, linguistic blending may bring about speech habits that transform and shape social groups. Due to this change, sociolinguistic information is becoming increasingly crucial for building AI systems that treat everyone appropriately. In the long run, AI-directed communication changes the way language creates and changes power and social identities, not just with technology
References
[1] Michael Lardy, Mediation and AI: The Silent Revolution (Article & Podcast), mediate, 2024. online. https://mediate.com/mediation-and-ai-the-silent-revolution/
[2] Hohenstein, J. C. (2020). AI-mediated Communication: Effects on language and interpersonal perceptions. Cornell University.
[3] Hohenstein, J., Kizilcec, R. F., DiFranzo, D., Aghajari, Z., Mieczkowski, H., Levy, K., ... & Jung, M. F. (2023). Artificial intelligence in communication impacts language and social relationships. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 5487.
[4] Ateeq, A., Milhem, M., Alzoraiki, M., Dawwas, M. I., Ali, S. A., & Yahia Al Astal, A. (2024). The impact of AI as a mediator on effective communication: enhancing interaction in the digital age. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 6, 1467384.
[5] Wodak, R. (2012). Language, power and identity. Language teaching, 45(2), 215-233.
[6] Mieczkowski, H., Hancock, J. T., Naaman, M., Jung, M., & Hohenstein, J. (2021). AI-mediated communication: Language use and interpersonal effects in a referential communication task. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW1), 1-14.
[7] AI-Mediated Communication, Max Planck Institute, online. https://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/1666343/03-ai-mediated-communication
[8] Jean, B. (2023). Sociolinguistics: Investigating Language Variation in Society. Journal of International Social Research, 16(107).
[9] Massaad, M. (2025). Sociolinguistics of Power and Identity in Dystopian Fiction. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 10(2), 601905.
[10] Kelly-Holmes, H. (2024). Artificial intelligence and the future of our sociolinguistic work.
[11] Algouzi, S., & Alzubi, A. A. F. (2023). The study of AI-mediated communication and socio-cultural language-related variables: Gmail reply suggestions. Applied Artificial Intelligence, 37(1), 2175114.
[12] Székely, É., & Miniota, J. (2025). Will AI shape the way we speak? The emerging sociolinguistic influence of synthetic voices. arXiv preprint arXiv:2504.10650.
[13] Hohenstein, J., Kizilcec, R. F., DiFranzo, D., Aghajari, Z., Mieczkowski, H., Levy, K., ... & Jung, M. F. (2023). Artificial intelligence in communication impacts language and social relationships. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 5487.
[14] Algouzi, S., & Alzubi, A. A. F. (2023). The study of AI-mediated communication and socio-cultural language-related variables: Gmail reply suggestions. Applied Artificial Intelligence, 37(1), 2175114.
[15] Grieve, J., Bartl, S., Fuoli, M., Grafmiller, J., Huang, W., Jawerbaum, A., & Winter, B. (2025). The sociolinguistic foundations of language modeling. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 7, 1472411.
[16] Zhang, G. (2025). AI Linguistics. Natural Language Processing Journal, 10, 100137.
