#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Recently, a strategic session titled Creating a Digital Environment for Native Languages through the Lens of Technology and Creative Industries took place in Krasnoyarsk, as reported by the official portal of the Krasnoyarsk region.
During the plenary session, experts examined the reasons behind the decline of native languages and explored potential solutions to address this issue.
As a rule, most speakers of these languages are older individuals engaged in traditional economic activities. In the 20th century, many of them in young age were taken to boarding schools, where they began to lose their native languages. To effectively preserve a language, it is essential for young people to speak it in their daily lives. Linguists believe that digitization, which should become an integral part of modern life, can significantly aid this effort.
One promising approach to language preservation is the development and enhancement of mobile translation applications filled with vocabulary from indigenous peoples. Nikolay Aprosimov, the head of the Ayana project office and the developer of an eponymous application aimed at preserving and promoting northern languages, spoke at the session.
Ayana is a voice-activated Russian-Evenki translator that leverages artificial intelligence. However, not all words can be translated directly from Russian; for instance, the application may struggle with modern terminology. In such cases, the device notifies users that the words are not in its database but assures them that efforts are ongoing to incorporate new vocabulary and that the application is continually learning. In addition to translation, Ayana can engage in dialogue with users, Aprosimov explained.
He shared that last year, with the support of Nornickel, he and a team of like-minded individuals developed four applications in the Nenets, Nganasan, Enets, and Dolgan languages.
“Currently, these applications function as offline dictionary-translators and include the most commonly used words and phrases. However, we have designed them to allow language speakers to expand the vocabulary base. In the future, thanks to the annotations in the database, these applications could become interactive and be integrated into speakers, televisions, and other devices”, Aprosimov added.
A key motivation behind the development of these valuable applications is the advancement of artificial intelligence technology.
“Traditional methods of language learning are becoming obsolete; it is innovations and neural networks that can breathe new life into a language, as they serve as powerful tools for globalization. When I came to this realization, I began to speak in my native language, which, unfortunately, is now at risk of extinction. With the belief that technology can save the rare languages of indigenous peoples from oblivion, we are committed to our work and striving for new heights”, the application developer concluded.
In related news, Taimyr has recently participated in an international seminar focused on the preservation of Arctic languages.
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Text: Polina Bardik, Photo: Denis Kozhevnikov
