Google just announced that they are adding 110 new languages to Google Translate, this includes 5 languages from the Philippines namely: Bikol, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Pangasinan and Waray.
Google explains that the expansion was possible with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) paired with PaLM 2 large language model.
In addition to the 5 languages from the Philippines, Google translate also added support for the following;
- Afar which is spoken in Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
- Cantonese, which Google says “one of the most requested languages for Google Translate.”
- Manx is the Celtic language of the Isle of Man. sands of speakers.
- NKo a standardized form of the West African Manding languages that unifies many dialects into a common language.
- Punjabi (Shahmukhi) is the variety of Punjabi written in Perso-Arabic script (Shahmukhi), and is the most spoken language in Pakistan.
- Tamazight (Amazigh) is a Berber language spoken across North Africa.
- Tok Pisin is an English-based creole and the lingua franca of Papua New Guinea.
With the additional 110 new languages, Google Translate now supports 243 languages. You can find the full list of newly supported languages on Google Translate here.