Language is what defines cultural identity and helps to preserve people’s traditional heritage. Since the languages spoken by indigenous people are disappearing at an insane rate, it is essential to protect them.
With this goal in mind, Google has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool called Woolaroo. It is open source and lets you explore some of the endangered languages.
Explore Indigenous Languages Through an AI Tool
In a blog post on The Keyword, Google announced the launch of Woolaroo: an online tool aimed at preserving endangered languages. The AI tool uses machine learning and image recognition to translate photos of objects into a previously selected endangered language.
To find out what an object is called in one of the indigenous languages, you simply need to snap a photo of it, and the tool will detect the object and automatically give you the translation and correct pronunciation of the word.
The AI tool includes 10 endangered languages: Louisiana Creole, Calabrian Greek, Māori, Nawat, Tamazight, Sicilian, Yang Zhuang, Rapa Nui, Yiddish, and Yugambeh.
Yugambeh Museum CEO Rory O’Connor is especially excited to feature Yugambeh on Woolaroo since there are only about 100 active speakers of this language, and it's on the brink of disappearing.
How to Use Google's New Woolaroo Tool
You can access the language learning tool from your computer or mobile device by heading to g.co/woolaroo. Or you can download the Google Arts & Culture application and open the Woolaroo tool from there. It is available on both iOS and Android.
So, to start exploring the indigenous languages, you should launch Woolaroo on any preferable device. Then you should follow these steps:
- Tap Let’s get started.
- The tool will ask permission to use your device’s camera. Tap Allow to give permission.
- Choose the language that you speak on the top of the screen.
- Then tap on the language that you’d like to explore. When you’re ready, tap Go.
- Point your device’s camera at any object and tap on the white circle to take a picture.
- The tool will recognize the object and translate it into the chosen language. Tap on the sound icon to check out how the word is pronounced.
How to Help Preserve Endangered Languages
Anyone can contribute to the Woolaroo database. If you know a word that isn’t included in the tool, you can add it by yourself by tapping the exclamation mark icon located on the top-right of the tool's screen.
The process will take you only a minute or two, but this way, you’ll be making a vital contribution to help preserve the indigenous language.
Image Credit: Google