Future Tense Technology and language — a dynamic relationship
Oct 16, 2025
In this conversation, Dr. James Cohen, an expert on online language practices, delves into 'algospeak,' a creative linguistic response to content moderation. Philip Seargeant, a senior lecturer in Applied Linguistics, critiques the flawed idea of a universal language and discusses the limitations of AI translation. Dr. Sali Tagliamonte reveals how teenage women are at the forefront of language change, driving innovation through social media. Together, they explore the interplay between technology and language, highlighting its dynamic evolution.
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Language Mutates To Outsmart Moderation
- AlgoSpeak is language adapted to evade platform content moderation by altering words and spellings.
- James Cohen says it mixes play, encryption and resistance, shifting as moderation learns to detect terms.
LeetSpeak: Early Encoding To Evade Moderation
- LeetSpeak from the 1990s replaced letters with numbers to dodge bulletin-board moderation.
- James Cohen uses L33T as an early example of users encoding text to bypass filters.
Moderation Can Stifle Inclusion
- AlgoSpeak can undermine inclusive expression when platforms censor identity terms.
- Cohen notes communities must adapt language when machines block words like "lesbian."
