African languages in the digital AI era: Reimagining communication, access, policy, and participation

Résumé

Language remains a central marker of identity, culture, and power in South Africa, and in the digital and AI era, longstanding debates about linguistic inclusion and equity have intensified. Although the Constitution affirms multilingualism, English continues to dominate institutional and technological domains, thereby limiting the visibility, accessibility, and functionality of African languages. This study examines the integration, representation, and transformation of African languages within digital and AI-mediated environments in South Africa. Using a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA and a Virtual Linguistic Landscape (VLL) approach, the study synthesises recent scholarship, policy documents, and digital language initiatives to assess current developments. The review analyses emerging digital tools, online linguistic resources, and the evolving roles of African languages in education, governance, and public communication. The VLL method further illustrates how African languages circulate and acquire symbolic presence across selected digital spaces. Findings indicate a steady growth in digitisation efforts, the expansion of language technology projects, and increased institutional attention to linguistic diversity. However, progress remains uneven across languages, with persistent gaps in funding, standardisation, and technological capacity. Overall, the study demonstrates that while digital platforms and AI systems offer significant opportunities to advance linguistic justice, meaningful transformation requires sustained policy commitment and long-term investment of resources.

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