Google Translate is expanding its language capabilities by adding 110 new languages, marking the platform’s largest expansion to date. This growth is made possible by AI advancements, specifically the PaLM 2 language model. This model helps Google Translate efficiently learn languages that are closely related to each other, such as Awadhi and Marwadi close to Hindi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole. Additionally, languages like Afar, Cantonese, and Tamazight (Amazigh) are being added, representing over 614 million people, or approximately 8% of the world’s population. This expansion includes a focus on African languages, making it the largest expansion of African languages on Google Translate so far.
When dealing with languages that have regional varieties and dialects, Google’s language models create a hybrid version by combining different elements from various dialects. The company prioritizes the most commonly used varieties of each language, ensuring accuracy and relevance in translations. For instance, the Romani language has many dialects throughout Europe, with Google’s models producing text closest to Southern Vlax Romani while incorporating elements from others like Northern Vlax and Balkan Romani. By utilizing Zero-Shot Machine Translation and the 1,000 Languages Initiative in 2022, Google has been able to add new languages to Translate and build AI models to support the most spoken languages worldwide. As technology advances, Google aims to continue supporting additional language varieties and spelling conventions over time through collaborations with linguists and native speakers.
To access Google Translate, users can visit translate.google.com or use the Android and iOS mobile apps. Google is not the only tech company incorporating AI into its products and services, with competitors like Apple and Microsoft also leveraging AI to enhance their offerings. Google has integrated AI into platforms like Gmail, Search, and Messages, and highlighted AI as the primary focus of its recent I/O event. Similarly, Apple introduced a suite of “Apple Intelligence” updates for the iPhone, showcasing the growing influence of AI in tech keynotes and product development. As AI technology continues to evolve, tech companies are investing in AI to improve user experiences and expand their capabilities across different platforms and services.
