Surveying the Technology Support of Languages

Annika Grützner-Zahn, Federico Gaspari, Maria Giagkou, Stefanie Hegele, Andy Way, Georg Rehm


Abstract
Many of the world’s languages are left behind when it comes to Language Technology applications, since most of these are available only in a limited number of languages, creating a digital divide that affects millions of users worldwide. It is crucial, therefore, to monitor and quantify the progress of technology support for individual languages, which also enables comparisons across language communities. In this way, efforts can be directed towards reducing language barriers, promoting economic and social inclusion, and ensuring that all citizens can use their preferred language in the digital age. This paper critically reviews and compares recent quantitative approaches to measuring technology support for languages. Despite using different approaches and methodologies, the findings of all analysed papers demonstrate the unequal distribution of technology support and emphasise the existence of a digital divide among languages.
Anthology ID:
2024.tdle-1.1
Volume:
Proceedings of the Second International Workshop Towards Digital Language Equality (TDLE): Focusing on Sustainability @ LREC-COLING 2024
Month:
May
Year:
2024
Address:
Torino, Italia
Editors:
Federico Gaspari, Joss Moorkens, Itziar Aldabe, Aritz Farwell, Begona Altuna, Stelios Piperidis, Georg Rehm, German Rigau
Venues:
TDLE | WS
SIG:
Publisher:
ELRA and ICCL
Note:
Pages:
1–17
Language:
URL:
https://aclanthology.org/2024.tdle-1.1
DOI:
Bibkey:
Cite (ACL):
Annika Grützner-Zahn, Federico Gaspari, Maria Giagkou, Stefanie Hegele, Andy Way, and Georg Rehm. 2024. Surveying the Technology Support of Languages. In Proceedings of the Second International Workshop Towards Digital Language Equality (TDLE): Focusing on Sustainability @ LREC-COLING 2024, pages 1–17, Torino, Italia. ELRA and ICCL.
Cite (Informal):
Surveying the Technology Support of Languages (Grützner-Zahn et al., TDLE-WS 2024)
Copy Citation:
PDF:
https://aclanthology.org/2024.tdle-1.1.pdf