Namaeh Farhangistan

Namaeh Farhangistan

The Role of Written Orality in Preserving Linguistic Diversity in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Maryam Mesgar Khoyi
Researcher at the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/nf.2026.520117.1404
Abstract
In the digital age, new communication technologies and media have profoundly transformed the functions and uses of language. The Internet, by opening new domains of virtual communication, has introduced a novel linguistic function often referred to as the “virtual communicative role.” This role is primarily manifested through written orality (also known as speech-like writing), which enables users to employ language in informal and creative ways within online contexts. It is evident, however, that not all languages have equally benefited from these opportunities. Languages lacking digital infrastructures or standardized writing systems are particularly vulnerable to extinction in cyberspace. Despite its potential to sustain linguistic diversity, the Internet—under the dominance of major global languages such as English—has failed to adequately reflect the world’s linguistic plurality. Only about 250 of the world’s more than 6,000 languages maintain an active online presence, while many minority languages are facing what has been termed digital death. As one of the key linguistic practices of digital communication, written orality can play a vital role in preserving and revitalizing endangered languages by enabling the use of local languages across social media, messaging platforms, and blogs, thereby facilitating intergenerational transmission. To strengthen linguistic diversity in the digital sphere, complementary measures such as language documentation, the development of multilingual digital tools, and the promotion of local languages in education and media are essential. Ultimately, despite its challenges, the Internet holds great potential for enhancing the vitality of languages and sustaining linguistic and cultural diversity—provided that targeted language policies and international cooperation are effectively implemented.
Keywords
Written orality
local languages
digital space
linguistic diversity
language documentation
Internet
Subjects
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Namaeh Farhangistan
Volume 25, Issue 1 - Serial Number 101
Nameh Farhangestan (Grammar)
March and April 2026
Pages 129-148

  • Receive Date 05 May 2025
  • Accept Date 15 July 2025