Google Translate‘s latest update, the largest language expansion in its history, welcomes five Filipino regional languages: Bikol, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Waray.
This addition is part of a massive expansion that incorporates a total of 110 new languages, bringing the total supported languages to 133.
With this update, Google Translate empowers over 660 million people worldwide to access information and connect with others in their native tongue.
Previously, the service supported translations for three Philippine languages: Filipino (Tagalog), Cebuano, and Ilocano.
The key behind this impressive leap lies in Google’s cutting-edge AI model, PaLM 2. This powerful tool excels at learning related languages, allowing Google Translate to bridge the gap for a wider range of communities across the globe.
Highly requested languages such as Cantonese (spoken by over 100 million people), Shahmukhi Punjabi (the most spoken language in Pakistan), and Tok Pisin (a Papua New Guinean creole) are now available.
Indigenous languages like Afar and NKo, spoken in parts of Africa, have also been added thanks to the contributions of the volunteer community.
Languages experiencing a revival, like the Celtic language Manx, are now supported, helping preserve cultural heritage.
This expansion is a major step in Google’s goal to support 1,000 languages worldwide. A quarter of the new additions are from Africa, making Google’s African language selection the largest yet.
Google focuses on adding widely spoken forms of languages, like Southern Vlax Romani, and includes elements from other dialects for a richer experience. Partnerships with linguists and native speakers ensure ongoing improvement.
