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Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for the preservation of endangered African languages
Abstract
Language extinction threatens global linguistic and cultural diversity, with 50% to 90% of languages projected to become extinct by the end of the 21st century. Africa is particularly vulnerable, with many endangered languages. Language vitality depends on active usage, transmission, and development. Numerous African languages are precarious, necessitating effective preservation and promotion strategies. Traditional approaches face resource and scalability challenges, prompting exploration of technological interventions. This study investigates Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) potential in preserving and promoting endangered African languages, examining AI-driven tools’ efficacy in language preservation, translation accuracy, and cultural exchange. Employing a qualitative approach, this research analyses AI applications in language preservation and translation, focusing on maintaining linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. Case studies and expert’s insights assess AI’s role in endangered language revitalization. AI technologies can augment language preservation by enhancing translation accuracy, facilitating documentation, and promoting cultural exchange. AI processes large linguistic datasets and supports multilingual communication. However, human expertise is critical for cultural relevance and contextual nuances; AI human collaboration is paramount. AI offers scalable solutions for documenting and promoting endangered African languages, complementing traditional strategies. Effective AI-human collaboration holds potential for mitigating language extinction and fostering cultural preservation. This research contributes to the discourse on AI in linguistics, highlighting opportunities and challenges of AI-driven language preservation in Africa. It underscores synergistic human-AI collaboration’s importance in safeguarding linguistic diversity, providing a framework for future technological intervention explorations in language preservation.
