On Thursday, Google announced an exciting expansion for its popular translation tool, Google Translate. The service now supports more than 110 new languages, making it easier than ever to communicate globally. Before this update, Google Translate could handle 133 languages. This latest addition marks the most significant increase in supported languages since the tool was first introduced.
Using advanced AI to bridge language gaps
The impressive leap in language support is primarily thanks to Google's advanced PaLM 2 AI language model. This cutting-edge technology has been pivotal in teaching Google Translate these new languages. Particularly effective in learning languages related to one another, PaLM 2 excelled with dialects close to Hindi, such as Awadhi and Marwadi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole. In a recent blog post, Google's Isaac Caswell highlighted these achievements, emphasising how the AI's capabilities have significantly enhanced the translation service.
Meeting the demand for Cantonese and African languages
Cantonese stands out as a particularly notable addition among the newly supported languages. For a long time, Cantonese has been one of the most requested languages for Google Translate. Despite its popularity, integrating Cantonese posed unique challenges due to its frequent overlap with Mandarin in writing, making data collection and model training difficult. Nevertheless, Google has now added this highly requested language to its roster.
Moreover, about a quarter of the new languages come from Africa, broadening the tool's utility on the continent. This expansion includes several languages spoken by millions, significantly enhancing the service's relevance and accessibility for African users.
Enhancing global communication
Google Translate's new languages mainly include those spoken by at least one million people, with some even spoken by hundreds of millions. This expansion will profoundly impact global communication, breaking down language barriers and fostering better understanding among diverse populations.
Isaac Caswell, in an interview with The Verge, expressed his excitement about Google Translate's broader reach and enhanced usability. This update is not just about adding numbers; it's about making meaningful connections more accessible and more efficient for people worldwide. With this significant leap, Google Translate continues to stand at the forefront of technological advancements in language translation, providing users with an ever-growing toolkit to navigate the world's linguistic diversity.
