Large language models as phenomenotechniques for linguistics

english

2026

volume 20, issue 1

language   large language models   linguistics   phenomenotechnique   structuralism   symbolic culture

Univerza v Ljubljani, Filozofska fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

With the help of Bachelard’s concept of phenomenotechnique – meaning an artificial, technological set-up that forces a certain part of reality to reveal itself in a way that can be scientifically observed – this paper tries to theorize large language models (LLMs) as a kind of “epistemological mirrors” that make symbolic language (as a foundation of culture) observable in an unprecedented way. Consequently, LLMs have (besides their known and attested commercial value) immense epistemological value for the humanities since they allow for an alterna-tive way of studying language learning, generation, and structure that can supplement classic linguistic techniques. LLMs can thus be used to reassess the relevance of exist-ing linguistic theories and update them as well as to start developing new theories of language. The paper develops its thesis through a refutation of a common objection to LLMs – that they have no “true” understanding of language since they possess no relation to the outside world – and by showing that real-world relations are irrelevant for hu-man language as well. Consequently, linguistic theories (such as structuralism) that understood language outside of such a framework are once again relevant for a new understanding of symbolic language and culture that LLMs allow.

19.08.2026