From the Dolomites to your device: Tech’s role in preserving Indigenous languages

Languages are more than just a means of communication; they encapsulate the essence of a person or community’s identity, history, and culture. But languages – and everything that comes wrapped up in their complex fabrics – don’t last forever. And unfortunately, it’s the lesser spoken, Indigenous languages that are at risk of slipping away first.

The global threat to linguistic diversity is critical. UNESCO estimates that an Indigenous language disappears every two weeks so that by the end of this century, we risk losing 3,000 unique languages forever. With time of the essence, it is vital we embrace modern technology to help preserve these precious assets, stretching back thousands of years.

Why Indigenous languages matter

Indigenous languages are often spoken by small, marginalized communities, making them more susceptible to the overwhelming dominance of global languages. As the world becomes more digitally connected, Indigenous languages face a higher risk of disappearing. If they fade, their rich cultural heritage and histories will be lost alongside any daily usage.

Preserving and reviving Indigenous languages is essential for the survival of the communities that speak them, and has benefits for society at large. It guarantees that all cultures are acknowledged and protected, which is an important first step in building a more accepting and understanding global community.

How technology can help

Published earlier this year alongside our partners at UNESCO, we co-authored the Hello Indigenous whitepaper to help forge a pathway to digitizing endangered languages and expanding the role technology can play in bridging an increasing digital divide. This was a proud moment for us and a significant milestone for Motorola and The Lenovo Foundation’s Indigenous Language Support Initiative, launched back in 2021.

Since that time, and with over 90 languages incorporated in its smartphones, Motorola has supported the revitalization of languages including Kuvi, Kangri (India), Cherokee (North America), Nheengatu (Amazon region), Kaingang (South/Southeast of Brazil) and Maori (New Zealand). Notably, Motorola was the first phone manufacturer to provide Cherokee residents with a fully localised mobile phone user interface and full support for an Amazonian Indigenous language. Finally, most recently, Motorola added Ladin, one of Italy’s twelve minority languages, spoken in the Dolomites region.

Technology provides a means to keep languages alive, but it also fosters digital inclusion by providing chances for these languages to be used in fresh and innovative ways through their incorporation with user interfaces. It becomes a part of users’ digital identity, especially younger generations, and gives them a closer connection to their heritage.

Beyond accessibility, these tech solutions offer hope for the future of language revitalization. Since the Motorola and Lenovo Foundation's initiative, similar projects have been created, such as the first-ever Nheenghatu Academy of Language in Brazil and Lenovo's Aotearoa Bilingual Keyboard in New Zealand. We hope many more will follow.

A global blueprint forward

The Hello Indigenous whitepaper was our call to action to support language diversity worldwide. Collaboration is at the heart of the paper's strategy, given it was developed in conjunction with Indigenous communities to ensure the accuracy of the digitalisation of their languages. By detailing Motorola's approach to integrating these languages into its user interfaces, it also establishes a model the wider industry can apply. The paper shows even a language with limited speakers — Ladin has only 32,500 — can find a place in the digital landscape.

The UN General Assembly declaring 2022-2032 the International Decade of Indigenous Languages will help sharpen minds, but action must then follow suit. As the global focus on Indigenous languages grows, technology holds the potential to bridge the gap between cultural preservation and modern innovation. The work done in smartphones for Motorola and the Lenovo Foundation, supported by UNESCO, is just the beginning. With sustained investment, collaboration and innovation, digital technology can become a powerful ally in the revival and preservation of endangered languages.

Janine Oliveira and Juliana Rebelatto are the leads of Motorola's Digital Inclusion of Indigenous Languages Initiative.