2.3 Areas where language technology can be used

Technology should both listen and provide information, whatever the language

A good use of language technology helps users to communicate with the system in their preferred language (context). We could also use gestures or sign languages to communicate with computers or sign language speakers. The goal is to make it easy for us to use all sorts of technology and access information from all over the world. Technology should help us at work and in our daily lives. Language technology helps people and systems communicate with each other

Communication between people who speak different languages can be difficult, especially if they are speakers of under-resourced languages. One of the main goals of language technology is to translate different human languages smoothly and automatically. This is not easy, but language experts have now developed software systems that make the work of human translators easier. Automatic translations aren’t always perfect, but they can be helpful when people need information in a foreign language. For example, in crises when we need to simplify large amounts of text and get people to understand it.

Disaster response and humanitarian aid Language technology can support humanitarian aid in emergencies. It can quickly translate important information for both the people affected and the people who are there to help. So everyone gets the important messages they need, even if they speak different languages. When we want to help communities that don’t usually get much attention, we can use language technology for low-resource languages to help translate important documents and instructions. We can then be sure they get the aid they need in the best way possible.

Education

In education, language technology can improve access to educational materials and information that wasn’t previously available in all languages. You can use language technology to create personalized learning plans and make learning easier. The Languages in Education report by UNESCO tells us that 40% of children around the world learn in a language that they don’t speak at home (UNESCO). They have to learn the language of teaching over time. Language technology can help them to learn a new language.

Healthcare

In healthcare settings, effective communication and connecting with people are very important. Nowadays, healthcare institutions take a more patient-centered approach. They see connecting with people as a key priority. It helps to improve communication with the community and make services more accessible. A key part of this is talking to people in their own language and showing an understanding of their bodies and health beliefs.

Language technology can be very useful in the field of healthcare. It can help create chatbots that give vital information on health-related topics. It can translate content for people who speak different languages. And it can make it easier for doctors and nurses to talk to patients if they don't speak the same language. Automated Q&A or virtual assistants can give answers to frequently asked questions and reduce the number of phone calls needed. Everyone can understand their health better and get the care they need.

Helping the environment

Language development projects can help to provide information about the environment in different languages. Language technology can spread messages about climate change and climate resilience in the languages of the communities affected by climate change. Language technology can also help to translate messages and educational information about taking care of nature. This means that people all around the world can learn how to protect our planet.

Language technology plays a huge role in making sure that those who are most affected by climate change have a strong voice when they call for action from those in power. Governments can then put in place preventive, reparative, and climate-friendly policies and measures. More people will then know about environmental problems and how to solve them, and can help to find solutions.