Google has announced a significant update to its translation service, adding support for 110 languages. This move comes as part of the tech giant’s initiative to expand translation capabilities through its PaLM 2 AI model. The newly added languages include Afar, Cantonese, Manx, Nko, Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Tamazight (Amazigh), and Tok Pisin, representing a total of 614 million speakers worldwide.
According to Google, these languages vary in terms of the number of speakers and active usage. While some languages have a large user base of over 100 million speakers, others are at risk of becoming extinct. Google’s approach to adding support for new languages considers regional dialects, spelling standards, and usage patterns to provide accurate and comprehensive translations.
One of the key considerations in expanding language support is to prioritize the most commonly used varieties of each language. For example, Google’s models for the Romani language focus on producing text that reflects the Southern Vlax Romani variety, which is widely used online. However, elements from other dialects like Northern Vlax and Balkan Romani are also incorporated to ensure inclusivity and accuracy.
This update is part of Google’s long-term goal to support 1,000 languages through AI. Earlier in 2022, the company introduced support for 24 languages spoken by over 300 million people using its one-shot model. In comparison, Apple recently announced the addition of Hindi to its translation app, but the tech giant currently supports just over 20 languages.
With the addition of 110 new languages to Google Translate, the company is taking a significant step towards bridging language barriers and promoting linguistic diversity on a global scale. This update not only benefits millions of speakers worldwide but also reflects Google’s commitment to making information more accessible and inclusive for all users.
