Lost languages don’t have to disappear forever! Discover how AI and NLP are bringing endangered languages back to life—before they fade into history.
Languages are more than just words. They carry the culture, history, and identity of the region in which they are spoken. However, many languages have disappeared due to modernisation, migration, and a lack of speakers. According to UNESCO, nearly 40% of the world's languages are endangered. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a key role in saving endangered languages. AI can document, translate, and preserve languages before they vanish forever.
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Many endangered languages have few or no written records. AI-powered tools, like speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP), help record and transcribe spoken words.
Voice Recognition Technology
AI can listen to native speakers and convert their speech into written text. This helps create dictionaries and grammar guides for future learners.
Data Collection
AI can scan old books, manuscripts, and audio recordings to gather valuable language data.
Community Contribution
AI-powered apps allow native speakers to contribute words and phrases, helping build a complete language database.
For example, Google’s Project Euphonia is using AI to recognise and document rare speech patterns, which can be useful for endangered languages.
#1: Role of NLP in Language Preservation
Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a key AI technology that helps computers understand, process and generate human language. It plays an important role in documenting and translating endangered languages.
How NLP Works
NLP combines linguistics and machine learning to analyse language. Without delving into details, NLP tools help predict the likelihood of the next word in a sentence. A language model is trained on billions of words to estimate the probability of the next word appearing, given the preceding words. It helps computers break down words, grammar, and meaning to perform various tasks such as:
Text translation (e.g., Google Translate)
Speech recognition (e.g., Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa)
Chatbots and virtual assistants (e.g., automated language learning apps)
Since many endangered languages lack written records, NLP helps create structured texts, making it easier for future generations to learn and use these languages.
#2: AI for Translation and Understanding
Many endangered languages do not have translations available. AI can bridge this gap by learning and translating languages.
Machine Learning Models
AI studies language patterns and grammar rules, making it easier to translate into widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, or Hindi.
Neural Machine Translation (NMT)
This advanced AI technique improves the accuracy of translations by understanding the meaning of entire sentences instead of just replacing words.
Multilingual Chatbots
AI-powered chatbots can help people learn and communicate in rare languages by providing instant translations and explanations.
One great example is Google Translate, which uses AI to improve translations for lesser-known languages. Google has taken up a new task in hand - reviving some of the lost Indian languages and creating digital records and online footprint for them.
What is a major challenge in NLP for endangered languages?
Lack of written records and training data
Overuse of AI-generated text
Too many dialects worldwide
Excessive computational power
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#3: Preserving Languages for Future Generations
Saving a language means keeping it alive for future generations. AI makes learning more accessible through:
AI-powered Learning Apps
Apps like Duolingo and Memrise use AI to teach languages with interactive lessons.
Text-to-Speech (TTS) Technology
AI can generate spoken words from written texts, helping learners hear and practice pronunciation.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
AI combined with VR/AR creates interesting experiences where users can practice endangered languages in real-world scenarios.
What is Natural Language Processing (NLP) primarily used for?
Creating new programming languages
Enabling computers to understand and process human language
Translating machine code to human speech
Teaching AI to recognize images
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Takeaway
AI is a powerful tool for preserving and reviving forgotten languages. However, AI alone is not enough—governments, communities, and linguists must work together to ensure the future of these languages can be safeguarded for generations to come.
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