Talking about language and its political impact may seem like theoretical political discourse or academic debate distant from real-world politics. The ability to express ideas in a way that is universally understood has become an accepted norm in an age of globalization, diminishing cultural boundaries, unlimited communication, and the rise of generative AI with its incredible capabilities of translating content between languages with remarkable precision, creating tailored content for each audience. However, contrary to this view, one could argue that language has always been more than just a means of communication. In this era of identity resurgence and the rise of nationalism, language has become a form of power capable of redrawing geopolitical maps and influencing events that transcend the borders between the domestic and international realms. In a time when AI-generated content is booming, language’s importance is growing as it is increasingly used to manipulate collective consciousness, public perception, and even create or falsify messages to influence and control the public’s worldview.
The Political Expression Revolution
Traditionally, language plays a fundamental role in shaping political and social realities. It is an effective tool for directing public discourse, controlling societies, and reinforcing or challenging authority. Language is undoubtedly more than a communication tool; it is a force used to build identities, manage conflicts, and achieve political consensus. Recently, the focus on language and its use in political conflicts has escalated significantly, becoming a central aspect of domestic polarization and international rivalry, as evidenced in various political contexts:
1- Criticism of U.S. Presidential Candidates’ Language: In a surprising move during his campaign in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, independent candidate Robert Kennedy criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming she could not “form a proper English sentence” during an interview with NewsNation on September 4, 2024. Similarly, Republican candidate Donald Trump emphasized what he described as a change in Harris’s accent, accusing her of trying to mimic African-American speech to appeal to that voting bloc, calling her a “chameleon” for adjusting her tone based on the audience she aimed to attract.
Trump himself has been mocked for his failure to articulate cohesive ideas or speak in advanced English suitable for a former president, becoming a regular subject of political satire shows. For example, Jimmy Kimmel aired a video on September 5, 2024, compiling clips from Trump’s speeches in which he struggled to pronounce certain words or complete sentences, ridiculing his speaking abilities.
2- The Use of Ukrainian Language in the War with Russia: Historically, Russia has never recognized Ukrainian as an independent language, viewing it as an incomplete offshoot of the Russian mother tongue. During periods of Russian rule over Ukraine, efforts were made to impose Russian and eliminate Ukrainian linguistic independence, resulting in a deeply ingrained bilingual nature in Ukraine. Following the outbreak of the war in February 2022, Ukraine initiated measures to sever ties with Russian culture, including declaring Ukrainian the sole official language and launching grassroots campaigns by nationalist volunteers to teach Ukrainian across the country.
In parallel, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law in June 2024 declaring English the international language of communication in Ukraine, with public services now being provided in English, and the expansion of English-language education and film subtitles. This law signifies Ukraine’s intent to fully integrate with the West, represented by NATO militarily and the EU politically and economically, while distancing itself from Russian influence.
3- Language Struggles in Myanmar’s Civil War: The Burmese language has long symbolized the military nationalism that ruled Myanmar for decades. However, the civil war between the military regime and various insurgent groups also involves a parallel struggle over language, with the majority of the population speaking Burmese, while over 100 local languages are spoken by the ethnic minorities fighting against the regime. The repression of minority languages has fueled political and cultural marginalization, driving many to join rebel movements and take up arms.
It’s no coincidence that poets like Maung Saungkha, who leads the Bamar People’s Liberation Army, are at the forefront of the military resistance. He and other poets from various ethnicities have become symbols of the resistance against the military regime following the 2021 coup.
4- The Decline of the French Language in West Africa: West Africa is undergoing profound cultural and linguistic shifts, with countries like Burkina Faso and Mali moving away from French as the official language in favor of local languages. In December 2023, Burkina Faso proposed a constitutional amendment to adopt national languages as official languages, marking a step toward enhancing cultural sovereignty and shedding linguistic dependence on France. A local TV channel now broadcasts in 12 national languages to foster communication among citizens.
This trend reflects a growing desire to revive local identities and languages that were overshadowed by French during colonial rule. The decline of French is not limited to Burkina Faso, as Mali, Senegal, and Rwanda have all taken steps to reduce its official role.
5- The Rising Religious Tone in Indian Nationalist Discourse: In recent years, India’s political discourse has seen an increasing use of Hindu terminology by leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This was evident in the legislative elections from April to June 2024. The party’s ideology of Hindutva, equating Hindu identity with national identity, has intensified conflicts with India’s other religious and societal groups.
6- The French Language Protection Law in Quebec, Canada: Despite protests from English speakers, Quebec has begun enforcing Bill 96, which limits the use of English in certain contexts, adopting French as the official language for all government services starting in June 2023. This law reinforces the importance of preserving the French language in Quebec’s public life, including government services for new immigrants, who must now also learn French.
The Rise of “Language Politics”
The preceding examples illustrate the diverse ways language is politically leveraged today as a tool to build or dismantle authority and cultural dominance. In an age of resurgent nationalism and sub-national identities, controlling public discourse and shaping collective awareness is at the forefront of political objectives. Language plays a central role in defining “us” versus “them,” creating clear boundaries that reinforce opposition.
1- Control of Political Discourse: Language strongly influences and governs the content of political discourse. In “The Order of Discourse,” Michel Foucault argues that discourse is not just a tool for communication but a mechanism for controlling what can be thought or said. Societies, through institutions and laws, dictate what is acceptable and what is forbidden, shaping a “social truth.”
2- Cultural Hegemony: Language is used to impose cultural dominance by elites through tools like education and media to shape society’s worldview. According to Antonio Gramsci, elites rely not just on physical or economic power but also on imposing an ideological system that the general populace sees as “natural” or “legitimate.”
3- Building Collective Identity: In “Imagined Communities,” Benedict Anderson emphasizes the key role of language in shaping national identity. Language can unite individuals in an “imagined community” where they feel a shared identity, even if they have never met.
4- Managing Political Conflict: According to Pierre Bourdieu, language in political conflict becomes “symbolic capital,” allowing elites to shape society’s understanding of reality.
The Era of “Content Creation”
We are witnessing a new linguistic revolution with the rise of generative AI and advanced language models, which can create professional content, including text, images, music, and videos, through simple prompts. These technologies enable unprecedented political control over public discourse, allowing tailored messages to specific audience segments.
Generative AI’s political implications are vast, as political elites can use these tools to amplify their power, exploiting weaknesses in public discourse through disinformation campaigns, including deepfakes. As a result, genuine dialogue and political expression risk being overwhelmed by a flood of fake expressions and AI-generated content. We are entering a critical moment in the history of political expression, one that requires balancing the immense power of this technology with the need to preserve the integrity of language and truth in public discourse.
