The Future of Language

In an in-depth exploration of current concerns inspired by past events, aiming at developing future scenarios, Philip Seargeant takes the reader through a well documented, cleverly articulated view of the future of language. * Modern Language Review *
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
You leave this book … with a renewed belief in language as “inherently creative”, offering what Noam Chomsky called “infinite expression by finite means”, and still our best way of expressing the sensory infinitude of being alive. – Peter Williams * New Statesman *
In his scholarly, must-read book, Seargeant makes us think about the underpinnings of these convenient tools and what they portend for language, one of the cornerstones of human identity. – Vijaysree Venkatraman * New Scientist *
Seargeant asks what might be around the corner for language as new technologies keep coming. His wide-ranging survey considers impacts that include social media and generative AI. Each is part of a larger pattern of disruption in the ecology of language use. * Times Literary Supplement *
This book is a seminal contribution to the field, challenging existing paradigms and offering new lenses through which to view the ongoing evolution of language. It pushes the boundaries of how we conceive communication in an increasingly interconnected world. It also urges future research into AI-driven language transformations and the sociopolitical impacts on global communication. * Journal of Language and Politics *
It is certain that our use of language is going to change in the near, mid- and long-term future. In this thought-provoking and sometimes rather alarming book, the implications for the human race are considered. Philip Seargeant raises issues that no one can afford to ignore. – Steve Buckledee, University of Cagliari, Italy

Philip Seargeant is Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the Open University, UK. His recent publications include The Art of Political Storytelling (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020) and The Emoji Revolution (2019). He has won awards for his short films on language and communication, including the viral series The History of English in Ten Minutes. He is a frequent contributor to publications such as Wired, The New European, Prospect, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post and The Independent.

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