Google Translate has announced the inclusion of Kokborok along with other seven Indian languages into Google translate in its announcement article on 27 June 2024. In a notable step towards embracing linguistic diversity and inclusion, Google Translator

Google Translate has announced the inclusion of Kokborok along with other seven Indian languages into Google translate in its announcement article on 27 June 2024.

In a notable step towards embracing linguistic diversity and inclusion, Google Translator made the Kokborok language in Roman script available on its platform, the first language of the tribal people of Tripura.

Kokborok language in Digital Era

The new inclusion enables the speakers of the Kokborok language to translate English and other languages, thus eliminating the language barrier for millions of people who speak this language in India and the adjoining areas. For a long time, the proponents of the use of the Roman Bodo script to record the Kokborok language have today been vindicated by Google.

As Google Translate expands its language offerings, the inclusion of Kokborok sets a significant precedent for future updates. It highlights the importance of recognizing and preserving linguistic diversity in the digital era. This addition reflects the growing capabilities of language technology and its potential to bridge cultural and linguistic divides.

This update holds significant importance because Kokborok, a language spoken by more than a million individuals in Tripura and certain regions of Bangladesh, has long been overlooked in digital resources and international platforms. Its addition to Google Translate represents a meaningful advancement in efforts to safeguard the language and encourage its broader adoption in the digital age.

Kokborok language Recognition

The residents of Tripura have consistently pushed for increased acknowledgment of Kokborok, an official language of the state alongside Bengali and English. Although it holds considerable importance, the availability of resources and tools for Kokborok in mainstream technology has been quite scarce. The inclusion of this language in Google Translate represents a significant victory for language advocates and the broader indigenous community, highlighting an expanding recognition of the necessity to safeguard and elevate lesser-known languages.

Kokborok serves as the lingua franca for the majority of the 19 tribal communities in Tripura. On June 27, Google announced the addition of support for 110 new languages, including several Indian languages like Tulu, Marwadi, Awadhi, Khasi, Santali, and Kokborok, to its Google Translate platform. This marks the largest language expansion in the history of the translation service.

Kokborok Speakers Particulars

This initiative presents new opportunities for Kokborok speakers, especially those involved in education, governance, and creative industries. It allows students and professionals to access online resources in Kokborok, thereby improving their capacity to engage in the global knowledge economy without the need to translate materials into more prevalent regional languages such as Bengali.

For users, this development allows them to translate text between Kokborok and other languages supported by Google Translate, improving communication and access to information. This advancement is especially important in areas such as education, government services, and personal interactions, where language barriers can often be a challenge.

This initiative presents new opportunities for Kokborok speakers, especially those involved in education, governance, and creative industries. It allows students and professionals to access online resources in Kokborok, thereby improving their capacity to engage in the global knowledge economy without the need to translate materials into more prevalent regional languages such as Bengali.

For users, this development allows them to translate text between Kokborok and other languages supported by Google Translate, improving communication and access to information. This advancement is especially important in areas such as education, government services, and personal interactions, where language barriers can often be a challenge.

Kokborok languages Information & Services

Local governments and organizations in Tripura will also benefit from this initiative, as it will facilitate communication in official matters where Kokborok is the primary language. This will improve access to information and services while honoring and preserving the cultural identity of the indigenous people.

However, the addition has also come with a drawback, as users have reported inaccuracies in the translations. Some believe these issues could be resolved with future improvements.

Conclusion

The addition of Kokborok to Google Translate is more than just a feature update—it’s a celebration of linguistic diversity and a commitment to preserving indigenous languages. This move not only connects Kokborok speakers to the global community but also enables the world to better appreciate the richness of Tripura’s indigenous culture. By offering direct translations to English, Google is helping to ensure that the Kokborok language flourishes in a digital-first world.Kokborok language