The number of languages spoken across the world is immense, with some seven thousand different languages spoken, according to reports. Each one shows a different view of the world and provides irreplaceable link to history.
The disappearance of any language is an irreparable loss of knowledge and cultural diversity, which is why, today, with the help of technology solutions are being introduced for their preservation.
Many countries, such as Spain, are home to indigenous languages that originated in their territory. In addition to Spanish, languages such as Catalan, Basque, and Galician also coexist. Others, such as Asturian-Leonese and Aragonese, are recognized but more vulnerable. This fabric forms a unique and dynamic sociolinguistic reality, especially in Europe.
This is where AI comes in as a transformative tool for languages. In Spain, 96% of professionals use AI tools, mainly for translation and automation. However, only 23% consider themselves experts. This reveals a gap between widespread adoption and deep mastery of these technologies.
Another challenge is language barriers, which cost business opportunities. More than 50% of professionals report difficulties communicating in other languages. Forty-nine percent of Spanish companies say they have lost business for this reason. Understanding technical documentation in another language is a common obstacle.
Despite this, AI offers great corrective potential. Companies in Spain provide these technologies to their employees, with the aim of facilitating work and eliminating burdens through automation or multilingual communication assistants.
Inclusion of languages to break down barriers
To address the challenge of preserving languages, DeepL recently added Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Aragonese to its platform. This decision responds to the real economic weight of these languages, with Catalonia alone accounting for nearly 19% of Spain’s GDP.
“Co-official languages are part of everyday economic life in Spain,” explained Jarek Kutylowski, Co-Founder and CEO of DeepL.
“We want to be a useful tool for the entire population, regardless of the language they use,” added the executive.
Today, Catalan is understood by around 9 million people, with Basque having around 750,000 speakers.
Galician is used by more than two million people, and Aragonese, with around 25,000 speakers, is increasingly gaining recognition.
In today’s world, the future will require integrating tools that can preserve languages both ethically and effectively.
If leveraged properly, technology applied to language learning can prove to serve as a fundamental bridge. It will be able to protect diversity while driving innovation.
