In its "largest expansion ever," Google has announced that Google Translate will soon be adding support for 110 new languages, including Awadhi, Punjabi, and Marwadi. This significant update aims to enhance communication and accessibility for millions of users worldwide.
Google is utilizing its AI model, PaLM 2, to facilitate this large-scale expansion of Google Translate. According to a blog post by Google, the new languages, which range from Cantonese to Qʼeqchiʼ, represent over 614 million speakers.
This update will open up translations for approximately 8 percent of the global population. Previously, Google Translate supported languages such as Hindi, Sanskrit, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Dogri, Konkani, Maithili, Mizo, and Meiteilon (Manipuri).
In addition to Indian languages, the update includes Afar, a tonal language from Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, which received the highest number of community contributions. Cantonese, a complex language with significant overlap with Mandarin, is now supported.
Other notable additions are Manx, a Celtic language from the Isle of Man revived from near extinction, and NKo, a standardized form of the West African Manding languages with a unique alphabet developed in 1949. Tok Pisin, an English-based creole from Papua New Guinea, also joins the list, enhancing accessibility for English speakers.
The PaLM 2 large language model has been instrumental in this expansion, enabling Google Translate to efficiently learn closely related languages.
For Example, Awadhi and Marwadi, similar to Hindi, and French Creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole, are now supported. Google plans to continue adding support for more language varieties and spelling conventions by collaborating with expert linguists and native speakers as technology advances.
Google's continuous efforts to add new languages to Google Translate have been significantly accelerated with the help of AI. AI models enable a faster and more nuanced understanding of languages compared to human programmers.
"Languages have an immense amount of variation: regional varieties, dialects, different spelling standards. In fact, many languages have no one standard form, so it's impossible to pick a 'right' variety," the blog states.
Google Translate's features, including voice input, handwriting recognition, and offline translation, make it a versatile tool for daily use. With the addition of new languages, users can expect a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience.
This update will benefit those navigating new places, learning new languages, or trying to communicate more effectively within their communities.
Communication across linguistic boundaries is more crucial than ever as the globe grows more interconnected. This development translates into improved communication in a multilingual environment, increased accessibility, and better cultural preservation for Indian users.
A growing demand for inclusive and efficient communication tools in today's globalized environment is reflected in Google's dedication to growing its language support.