Google Translate has unveiled its most expansive update yet, introducing AI-powered translations for 110 new languages.
This expansion of service significantly broadens the platform’s reach accomodate languages spoken by over 614 million people worldwide, constituting approximately 8% of the global population.
A notable aspect of this expansion is its focus on African languages, with approximately a quarter of the new additions falling into this category. Languages such as Fon, Kikongo, Luo, Ga, Swati, Venda, and Wolof are now accessible through Google Translate, marking a significant enhancement in linguistic inclusivity.
Central to this milestone is Google’s PaLM 2 language model, which played a pivotal role in enabling the incorporation of languages related to Hindi and French creoles. This advanced AI model learns from related languages, facilitating the addition of diverse linguistic nuances and dialectical variations.
Despite challenges posed by linguistic intricacies, such as shared written characters between Cantonese and Mandarin, Google Translate’s advancements continue to bridge language barriers effectively.
The inclusion of languages like Manx, a Celtic language nearly extinct in 1974, showcases Google’s efforts in language revitalization and preservation.
This expansive update aligns with Google’s broader vision under the 1,000 Languages Initiative, aimed at leveraging AI to support the world’s top 1,000 languages.
