The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in the Era of Algorithmic Mediation – A Review

Marcos Tamaraw Leo

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The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in the Era of Algorithmic Mediation – A Review

M. T. Leo

2026-06-13

https://doi.org/10.24108/preprints-3115524

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which traditionally asserts that the structural constraints of a language shape a speaker’s cognitive processes and worldviews, is undergoing a transformative re-evaluation in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As Large Language Models (LLMs) transition from passive tools to active mediators of human thought, the boundaries of linguistic relativity are being redrawn. This review critically examines the intersection of cognitive linguistics and computational agency, investigating how AI-mediated communication (AIMC) functions as a digital extension of the Whorfian lens. By synthesizing contemporary research in computational linguistics, cognitive psychology, and educational technology, this study explores the non-neutrality of AI architectures. I argued that AI systems do not merely reflect training data; they curate a "statistical average" of thought that subtly recalibrates the user’s semantic boundaries and discursive patterns. The review examines how the standardization of syntax and the algorithmic bias in GenAI platforms may induce a form of "cognitive flattening," in which the predictive parameters of the model constrain the diversity of human perception. Furthermore, I analyze the pedagogical implications of AI-driven environments, in which learners' linguistic acquisition is increasingly co-constructed by humans and machines. Findings indicate that as AI mediates our digital interactions, it creates a recursive feedback loop that influences social cognition and cultural identity. The study concludes by proposing a framework for "Algorithmic Awareness"—urging educators and technologists to develop linguistically pluralistic AI that preserves the cognitive richness of diverse worldviews rather than defaulting to a centralized, machine-optimized reality.

Ссылка для цитирования:

Leo M. T. 2026. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in the Era of Algorithmic Mediation – A Review. PREPRINTS.RU. https://doi.org/10.24108/preprints-3115524

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