Dr Pradeep Mahapatra
Leading digital platform Google estimates about 70 crores, of internet-connected citizens, in India by 2022. It has been told that in the changed scenario, nine out of every ten consumers prefer to use the internet through regional languages.
A detailed note on Google’s efforts to build an ecosystem in the country to satisfy the aspiration of people to use multiple languages online was presented by Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer of Google and its parent firm Alphabet Inc. at the eighth edition of Google for India held in New Delhi during the second half of December 2022.
Google has taken up a project to make available facilities for the online use of 100 languages and dialects spoken over 773 districts of India. Efforts are being undertaken to utilize the advanced technology of artificial intelligence (AI) for a smooth transition of content from one language to another. For this purpose, Google has contracted with ‘Project Vani’ undertaken by the Bangaluru-based Indian Institute of Science. The facility will be integrated to the multi-lingual programme ‘Vashini’ promoted by the Government of India.
For a few years, Google is providing translation services in select Indian regional languages. However, widespread criticism prevailed on the quality of machine translation from one language to another, even to English. It has been said that renewed efforts using high-end technology can improve the quality of translation. In the Indian situation, regional languages are associated with dialects spoken over different patches within a linguistic state. Experts expect Google translation to integrate the communication channels of the regional languages with dialects also.
Language divide
Google will invest adequate resources in ‘Project Vani’ through its ‘India Digitalization Fund’. The new software will use machine learning (ML) technology to enhance translation capabilities. Availability of dependable translation facilities in regional languages and dialects may result in a far-reaching impact countrywide on journalism and literary platforms. On one hand, the facility will enable quality content produced in a regional language to attract a wide circle of readers, listeners or viewers outside its boundaries. On the other hand, consumers can get chance to access content translated into their familiar languages and dialects from the mainstream languages.
Language divide remained a cause for confrontation among people speaking different regional languages throughout the history in our country. After more than half of the population avails facilities of smartphones with language translation by 2023, it is expected that the language issue may lose its relevance. Similarly, the availability of better creative content in journalism and literature may result in such development.
In a few underdeveloped geographies in absence of quality creative literature, sub-standard content rule the cultural landscape. The introduction of mass translation facilities can enable people in marginalized societies to reach to quality content created elsewhere. But in second thought, a doubt arises, whether such a facility will bring good content of burden with bad content, only the future can prove.
The popularity of on-line videos is on the rise. Surveys conducted in developed societies reveal that gradually the consumers in digital platforms prefer listening to the news rather than reading. Google controlled video sharing platform ‘YouTube claims the largest network of consumers in the international level and is the second most popular social media space in India.
Google announced the introduction of the auto-video-dubbing feature ‘Aloud’ in 2023 in Google for India 2022 event. On an experimental basis the facilities have been offered to healthcare providers. The dubbing is carried out with the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, completely automatic and available with no additional cost.
Improved speech recognition facilities
Google also announced the introduction of another new feature called ‘Courses’ to promote learning in its YouTube platform. It will allow creators to offer consumers multi-session video tutorials in topics bundled with supplementary learning tools such as in form of PDF files. Educators can upload courses of short or long duration and offer free-of-cost or price. Learning experience through YouTube videos is already popular worldwide. The new feature ‘Courses’ will offer the opportunity in a more organized manner. The programme to be introduced in India along with the United States and South Korea in 2023. It is expected to bring far-reaching change, specially in hybrid teaching methods widely popular in the formal sector during the post-pandemic environment.
Google officials presented briefings on its new initiatives in agriculture and health care. Illiterate and neo-literate consumers searching for content through voice commands often face problems due to pronunciation difficulties. Google announced improved speech recognition facilities. Sundar Pichai said, “It is an important moment in time. India will be big export economy, and it will benefit from an open and connected internet.” He quoted a study report published by London-based Oxford Economics which claimed YouTube’s creator economy contributed Rs 10,000 crore to India’s GDP and supported more than 7,50,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the country during 2021. In totality, the revelations at ‘Google for India 2022’ seems to be encouraging for the next year 2023.
(English translation of the original Odia newsletter by the author circulated on December 23, 2022. https://tinyletter.com/pradeepmahapatra/letters/message-281 . It is an open-access content, free for translation and reproduction)
References:
Google for India 2022 : Using AI to make Google more helpful, Secure and private for India’s changing digital needs.
Dr. Pradeep Mahapatra is a retired faculty of Journalism, Berhampur University, Odisha.https://about.me/pradeepmahapatra
