The rise of endangered language translation

• Exponential growth: Searches for translations of certain endangered languages have experienced exponential growth. For instance, Choctaw translations in the US saw an astonishing 12,000% increase over the past four years, while Hokkien in Singapore witnessed a remarkable 7,317% surge. This dramatic rise in demand underscores a growing awareness of the importance of linguistic diversity and a desire to connect with speakers of these languages. 
• Global trend: The demand for translators for 27 endangered languages increased by over 100%, indicating a global movement to revitalize these languages through online translation services. This trend transcends geographical boundaries and reflects a collective effort to preserve cultural heritage and promote inclusivity in the digital age. 
• UK and US highlights: In the UK, Welsh Romani leads the pack as the most requested endangered language for translation, followed by Scots. In the US, Louisiana French and Cherokee are seeing a similar surge in interest. These findings suggest a growing appreciation for local languages and dialects even in predominantly English-speaking countries. 

This data paints a clear picture: there's a growing desire to connect with speakers of endangered languages, and businesses that embrace this trend can reap significant benefits.

Beyond the ethical imperative of preserving linguistic diversity, there are tangible business reasons to incorporate endangered languages into your localization strategy: 

• Untapped market potential: By offering content in endangered languages, you can tap into niche markets and connect with communities that are often overlooked by competitors. This can open up new revenue streams and foster brand loyalty among underserved demographics. Imagine the impact of reaching a community that rarely sees content in their native tongue – it's a powerful way to build a lasting connection. 
• Enhanced brand reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to linguistic diversity and cultural preservation positions your brand as inclusive and socially responsible. This resonates with today's conscious consumers who increasingly value brands that align with their values. Embracing endangered languages showcases your dedication to this inclusivity and cultural awareness. 
• Deeper customer connections: Speaking to your audience in their native language, especially if it's an endangered one, creates a powerful emotional connection. It shows that you value their heritage and are willing to go the extra mile to communicate with them on their terms. This can foster a sense of loyalty and advocacy, turning customers into brand ambassadors.

While the benefits are clear, translating endangered languages comes with unique challenges: 

• Limited resources: Finding qualified translators and linguistic resources for endangered languages can be difficult. These languages often have fewer speakers and less documentation, making it challenging to find experts who can accurately translate and localize content. 
• Lack of standardization: Many endangered languages lack standardized writing systems or digital fonts. This can lead to inconsistencies in spelling and grammar, requiring additional effort and expertise to ensure accurate translation. 
• Cultural nuances: Accurately conveying cultural context and nuances is crucial but can be challenging for languages with limited digital presence or documentation. Understanding the subtle meanings and connotations of words and phrases in endangered languages requires in-depth cultural knowledge and sensitivity.

• Scalability: AI can process large volumes of content quickly, making it feasible to translate into multiple endangered languages simultaneously. This allows you to reach a wider audience without significantly increasing your translation costs or turnaround times. 
• Consistency: AI can ensure consistent terminology and style across all translations, crucial for maintaining brand identity and message clarity. This helps create a cohesive brand experience for your audience, regardless of the language they speak. 
• Continuous learning: AI systems can learn and improve from human feedback, gradually enhancing their ability to handle the nuances of endangered languages. As more data becomes available and AI models are refined, the accuracy and fluency of translations will continue to improve.

Ready to incorporate endangered languages into your localization efforts? Here are some practical steps: 

1. Identify relevant languages: Research which endangered languages are spoken in your target markets and prioritize based on audience size and business goals. Focus on languages that align with your brand values and where you see potential for growth. 
2. Start small: Begin by translating key pieces of content, such as your homepage or product descriptions, to test the waters and gauge audience response. This allows you to assess the impact and ROI of translating into specific endangered languages before committing to larger projects. 
3. Leverage AI translation: Use AI-powered tools like HAI to get fast, accurate translations, especially for larger volumes of content or initial drafts. HAI's human-in-the-loop approach ensures that your translations are reviewed by expert linguists, guaranteeing quality and cultural relevance. 
4. Engage with native speakers: Collaborate with native speakers for quality assurance, cultural insights, and refinement of AI-generated translations. Their expertise is invaluable in capturing the subtle nuances and cultural context that may be missed by machine translation alone. 
5. Monitor and adapt: Track the performance of your translated content and adjust your strategy as needed based on user feedback and engagement metrics. Regularly assess the impact of your localization efforts and make data-driven decisions to optimize your strategy.

The rising interest in endangered language translation signifies a shift towards a more inclusive and culturally aware global marketplace. As businesses recognize the value of connecting with diverse audiences, the ability to communicate effectively in multiple languages, including those at risk of extinction, becomes a powerful differentiator. 

By incorporating endangered languages into your localization strategy, you're not just expanding your market reach – you're also making a positive impact on cultural preservation and social equity. It's a win-win situation that can elevate your brand's reputation and foster meaningful connections with communities around the world.

Ready to embark on your journey towards truly global communication? Speak to one of our localization specialists or upload your files for a quick translation with HAI.