DUE DATE: 19 JUNE 2026
UNIQUE NUMBER: 896815
(3 ESSAYS PROVIDED)
LINGUISTIC EXCLUSION IN AI: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF CONTEXT,
GENRE, REGISTER, AUDIENCE, AND LINGUISTIC FEATURES
Analysis of Context, Genre, Register, Audience, and Linguistic Features
The text “Linguistic Exclusion in AI: Tech and AI language is a problem in multilingual South
Africa” is situated within a contemporary South African digital and socio-political context
where artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are rapidly expanding, yet remain
uneven in accessibility. The article highlights how the dominance of English in technological
systems contributes to exclusion in a multilingual society, particularly affecting speakers of
indigenous languages. This context reflects broader national concerns about inequality,
education access, and linguistic justice in relation to technology and governance initiatives
aimed at digital inclusion.
The genre of the text can be classified as a journalistic feature article with persuasive intent.
It is not purely informational reporting because it includes interpretation, evaluation, and
advocacy regarding language inclusion in AI systems. The text integrates factual reporting
with expert commentary, such as views from Dr Lindiwe Tshuma and Amogelang Tsetse,
which positions it within a hybrid genre that combines news reporting and opinion-based
discourse. This blending of genres allows the text to both inform readers and influence their
attitudes toward linguistic inclusion in technological development (Maduma, 2025).