A fading voice in Kookanam
In the remote colony of Kookanam, nestled near the Karivellur gramam, a language teeters on the brink of disappearance – Madhika. The Chakaliya community, its sole guardian, faces a heartbreaking reality. K.P. Narayanan, 87, and his niece Rajputhri, stand as the language's last fluent speakers. Despite its superficial resemblance to Kannada, Madhika's diverse heritage, a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam, creates a distinct linguistic identity that can still bewilder listeners. Tragically, the younger generation, drawn to the dominance of Malayalam, shows little interest in learning this precious linguistic relic.
This story from Kookanam exemplifies the global crisis of language endangerment. Across the globe there is a rich diversity of languages, each one a distinct voice carrying the echoes of history and unique cultures. These languages transcend mere communication; they are the living embodiment of culture, carrying traditions, knowledge systems, and unique worldviews passed down through generations. However, it faces a growing threat of language endangerment. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) paints a concerning picture, with a five-point scale reflecting the severity of intergenerational language transmission loss, revealing thousands of languages classified as endangered, facing the real possibility of disappearing forever. To assess a language's vitality, UNESCO employs a comprehensive six-factor framework. This framework analyses the absolute number of speakers, their proportion within the population, trends in existing language domains, the language's adoption in new domains and media, and the availability of educational and literacy materials. The findings reveal a stark reality: a multitude of languages stand on the precipice of disappearing forever, taking with them irreplaceable cultural treasures.
The plight of Madhika exemplifies a critical factor in language endangerment – cultural assimilation. As the Chakaliya community integrates further into mainstream society, Malayalam, the dominant language of their region, becomes increasingly used. This shift weakens the transmission of Madhika from elders to younger generations, jeopardising its very survival. Unfortunately, cultural assimilation is just one threat among many. Languages also face endangerment due to the spread of dominant global languages that can marginalise minority languages, making them seem less relevant for economic and social advancement, or due to the historical imposition of colonial languages. Since languages are intertwined with cultural traditions, it may also occur that when these traditions wane, the use of the language associated with them also declines. Furthermore, the lack of government support for minority languages in education and official domains further marginalises them. Finally, the lack of comprehensive documentation and recording creates a vicious cycle. Without written materials, dictionaries, or audio recordings, preserving and revitalising endangered languages becomes significantly more challenging.
Legacy to Loss - Can AI be an enabler?
While these socio-cultural factors create a significant hurdle, it doesn't render language preservation impossible. Efforts to safeguard languages have long relied on the bedrock of traditional methods – intergenerational transmission through storytelling and folklore, and community-based efforts like language education and advocacy. While these methods remain vital, the digital age has introduced a new wave of potential tools. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers a promising avenue for documenting and revitalising endangered languages. One such branch of AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), combines computational linguistics—rule-based modelling of human language—with statistical and machine learning models to enable computers and digital devices to recognize, understand and generate text and speech. This technology holds immense potential for revitalising endangered languages. Thus, AI can automate tasks like language documentation and analysis, tasks that are often time-consuming and resource-intensive using traditional methods.
Building on the power of NLP, popular language learning apps like Duolingo have taken language revitalisation efforts by incorporating over 700 courses for endangered languages, recently adding six languages including Maori. AI's role goes beyond just popular apps. The Maori language of New Zealand is experiencing a revival with the help of AI which is being used to analyse vast archives of recordings and texts, extracting valuable data on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation patterns. This data then becomes the foundation for creating educational tools and digital dictionaries. By automating tasks, analysing data, and creating engaging learning tools, AI empowers communities to reclaim and revitalise their endangered languages. This technology is fostering innovation as well. Faced with the challenge of finding conversation partners, Jason Lovell cofounded Rebot, a Facebook Messenger chatbot powered by IBM Watson AI. Reobot understands and replies to users in both Te Reo Maori and English.
Revitalising or Rebranding?
The remarkable effort of the community could bring back the Maori language, back from the brink of extinction. However, it recently faced some challenges of foreign companies, seeing a highly profitable marketing opportunity, by selling the Maori language back to the very community that revived it. This sparked a vital ethical debate: who controls a language? Maori, like all other languages, belongs to its speakers, and they will have the final say on deciding the trajectory of their language. The incident exemplifies a broader ethical concern in language revitalization efforts: ensuring the agency of the language remains with its speakers. Technology can be a powerful tool, but it should always serve the community, not replace its voice. This principle is vital for all endangered languages.
Thus, it is crucial to recognize that language constitutes a highly sensitive aspect of a community, serving as one of its most intimate markers of identity. While endeavours to revitalise endangered languages are undeniably commendable, it is imperative that such efforts proceed with utmost sensitivity and be driven by the communities themselves. This ensures their languages thrive on their own terms, not on the terms of corporations or technology companies. Furthermore, the potential impact of AI in this field is significant; however, its application must be undertaken with meticulous consideration for the cultural nuances and inherent sentiments embedded within the language itself. Only through this collaborative and sensitive approach, which incorporates both community expertise and technological advancements, can we safeguard these irreplaceable markers of humanity.
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