Language and Law / Linguagem e Direito

The technological landscape is undergoing game-changing shifts. These shifts concern not only digital applications available for widespread consumption, including what we know as artificial intelligence (AI)-driven applications, but also the ways we interact and collaborate/co-create with this technology. At its core, AI is a tool that processes and generates human-like language. The power it holds and the impact it has are the reflection of the design and deployment choices people make. The lack of focus on equity and ethical considerations in AI design can exacerbate existing social inequalities and marginalise vulnerable communities even further.

This Special Issue explores the multifaceted impact of digital transformation on Language and Law/Linguagem e Direito, and specifically on language rights, human rights, integrity, identity, citizenship, and participation. It delves into a spectrum of multidisciplinary issues from the perspective of the current wave of AI driven digital transformation. The Special Issue  focuses on the concerns of people who speak minority and minoritised languages, or live in linguistically marginalised communities. The current call for papers seeks transdisciplinary contributions connected to a range of fields including (but not limited to): linguistics, disability studies, information technology, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, cultural studies, design, sociology, ethics, psychology, philosophy, law, and business.  We, the editors, particularly welcome both theoretical and empirical contributions that challenge prominent understandings, from a language and law perspective, on: 

• relationships and tensions between language, law, rights, and technology;
• linguistic imperialism via technology;
• emerging digital divides and other social issues; 
• co-designing technology with diverse communities;
• assistive technology for language access; 
• accessibility considerations for language rights;
• best practice to balance innovation and equity by maintaining a dialogue with technology developers, communities, researchers and policymakers;
• best practice for promoting linguistic equality and equity through regulations and policy.