Inuktut Language Debuts in Google Translate
In a significant step toward Indigenous reconciliation, Google has added Inuktut, a Canadian Indigenous language, to its Google Translate service. This marks the first time a language from Canada’s Indigenous communities has been included in the popular translation app.
Inuktut, spoken by approximately 40,000 people across Canada, is a complex language with numerous dialects. Google’s decision to include it in Translate comes after extensive consultations with Inuit communities and organizations, including Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). ITK collaborated with Google to develop a tool based on the Inuktut Qaliujaaqpait Converter, ensuring Google’s services could be offered in both Inuktut writing systems.
“As the national representational organization for Inuit in Canada, we strive to revitalize, protect and promote Inuktut,” said Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. “The addition of Inuktut on such a widely used platform empowers Inuit to interact more fully in the digital world.”
The tech giant cautions that its translation models are imperfect and this tool will still make many mistakes, but they believe bringing Inuktut in its written forms onto Google Translate is a milestone worth celebrating.