2.1 Definition and uses of language technology

There are various ways to define language technology. Here is a simple, easy description: language technology is about “getting computers to do useful things with human language, whether in spoken or written form”.

Language technology lets us automate tasks in verbal or written interaction. Examples are interactions between people, translating from one language to another, transcribing spoken words into text, or text into spoken word. Language technology can also analyze language, classify content, and make sense of the message. We call this part listening.

New developments in language technology include some interactive products. There are now machines that respond to voice commands, such as voice assistants. Speakers of major languages can communicate across language barriers using automated translation. They can use search engines to find information. Many of us have used online bots. Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has recently made huge progress.

Many people use these amazing technologies every day and it’s quite normal for them. But there are not many products that speakers of under-resourced languages can use. Language technology in these languages may not exist, or it may not be widely available. This means that many people are left behind. Learn more about language technology here