Google Translate Adds 110 New Languages, Including Abkhaz
Google Translate, marking the largest expansion in the service's history.
SUKHUM / AQW'A ― Google has announced a significant expansion of its Translate feature, adding 110 new languages, including Abkhaz, Avar, Chechen, and Ossetian. This milestone is attributed to advancements in AI technology. While some users can already access the new languages, they will become available to everyone on translate.google.com and the Google Translate app over the next few days. This update marks the largest expansion in the service's history.
This update follows Google's ongoing efforts to break down language barriers and make translation tools accessible to more people worldwide. In 2022, Google introduced 24 new languages using Zero-Shot Machine Translation, enabling translation without prior examples. Additionally, the company launched the 1,000 Languages Initiative, aiming to support the most widely spoken languages globally.
Google states that the new languages represent more than 614 million people, or around 8% of the world's population. Approximately a quarter of them are from Africa, making this the largest expansion of African languages on Google Translate to date.
Previously, David Dasania, an Abkhaz linguist and researcher working with Yandex, announced that Yandex plans to incorporate several North Caucasian languages into its Translator service. This includes languages such as Abkhaz, Abazin, Circassian, Karachay-Balkar, Nogai, Ossetian, Chechen, Ingush, and various Dagestani languages.
Interestingly, Google did not include Circassian among the 110 added languages. It is hoped that Circassian, one of the most beautiful languages in the world, will soon be added to Google Translate.
We asked Google on X.com why the Circassian (Adyghe) language wasn't included in the new languages for Google Translate and when it will be added.
These developments are a major milestone for speakers of North Caucasian languages, providing them with better tools for communication and access to information. The inclusion of these languages in major translation services like Google Translate and Yandex Translator marks a significant step towards greater linguistic inclusivity and the preservation of these diverse linguistic heritages.