Google Translate is expanding its language offerings with the addition of 110 new languages, marking the platform’s largest expansion to date. This expansion is made possible by advances in AI technology, specifically the Google language model known as Palm 2. This model helps Google Translate learn languages that are closely related to each other, such as Awadhi and Marwadi in relation to Hindi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole.
Among the new languages added to Google Translate are Afar, Cantonese, and Tamazight (Amazigh), representing over 614 million people worldwide, or approximately 8% of the global population. A significant portion of these new languages come from Africa, making this the largest expansion of African languages on Google Translate thus far. In cases where a language has regional varieties and dialects, Google’s language models create a hybrid version by combining different elements, prioritizing the most commonly used varieties of each language.
In 2022, Google introduced 24 new languages to Translate through Zero-Shot machine translation, a method that allows a machine learning model to translate into another language without prior examples. Additionally, Google launched the 1,000 Languages Initiative with the aim of developing AI models to support the 1,000 most spoken languages worldwide. Google continues to collaborate with expert linguists and native speakers to further expand language varieties and spelling conventions over time.
Google Translate can be accessed through the website translate.google.com or the Android and iOS mobile apps. Google is among several technology companies utilizing AI to enhance their products and services, with AI being a central focus of its recent I/O event. Rivals like Apple and Microsoft have also integrated AI into their offerings, with Apple unveiling recent updates to its iPhone featuring “Apple Intelligence.” As technology continues to evolve, AI is playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of technology keynotes and product development.
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https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/travelers-rejoice-google-translate-adds-110-new-languages-thanks-to-ai/