The 'Blindfolded AH-OONG' Phenomenon and the Rise of NaCling

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Authors: Matthew Dusan Paik
Cited by: 0

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of NaCling (sodium chloriding)—a systematic linguistic phenomenon whereby technical jargon is deployed as a semiotic veil over fundamental epistemic voids. Drawing upon the Korean idiom "blindfolded AH OONG" (눈 가리고 아웅), the authors develop a cross-domain taxonomy of semantic obfuscation spanning economics, politics, and artificial intelligence. We argue that the AI industry, in particular, has achieved an unprecedented degree of semiotic independence from its engineering substrate, approaching the status of a self-referential constructed language.

Fields of Study & Subjects

linguistics and terminology studies Semiotics and Representation Studies Cybernetics and Technology in Society

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
8 March 2026
Language
EN