Google Translate Adds Indigenous Languages

Google Translate has recently expanded its language offerings to include 110 new languages, among them Zapotec, Nahuatl, Maya Yucateco, and Qʼeqchiʼ. These additions reflect Mexico’s rich linguistic diversity, where 68 Indigenous languages are spoken by 7.5 million people. However, nearly 300 Indigenous languages in Mexico are at risk of disappearing.

This enhancement is significant for efforts to preserve minority languages, crucial for Mexico’s Indigenous communities. Zapotec, for instance, with over 50 distinct languages, primarily spoken in Oaxaca by approximately 425,000 people, is part of this initiative. Nahuatl, spoken by about 1.7 million Nahua people in Central Mexico, and Qʼeqchiʼ, used by the Maya people across Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, are also now supported.

Google’s expansion aims to support the world’s 1,000 most spoken languages, benefiting over 614 million speakers globally, or about 8% of the world’s population. This effort utilises advanced AI models like PaLM 2, trained on multilingual texts, which enhances translation accuracy across diverse linguistic contexts.

Currently, Google Translate supports 243 languages at varying proficiency levels, underscoring its commitment to linguistic inclusivity and accessibility worldwide.