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Have you ever stopped to think about
how we interact with numbers? In our daily lives, we often take for granted the
symbols we use to quantify the world around us.
Take note that did we even knew they
were numbers? They make up the Nepali language's fundamental counting system
and are written in Devanagari script. The catch is that they are jumbled. Did
you see that?
While some of us might have had
trouble at all connecting the symbols to numbers, others would have recognised
the symbols but not the sequence. This little activity acts as a reminder. It's
about how far we've come from the scripts and languages that characterize our
legacy, not just about knowing how to recognise digits. How do we reconnect in
a society when technology and global communication rule?
About 40% of the world's languages
are in danger of going extinct, according to UNESCO's Atlas of World Languages in Danger (2023). Although Nepali is not
endangered at this stage, the digital divide presents particular difficulties
for its development and preservation in contemporary times. The preservation
and resuscitation of traditional languages in the age of artificial
intelligence presents a unique challenge in a time when digital transformation
permeates every part of our life. At this critical nexus of history and
technology sits the Nepali language, with its rich legacy and distinctive
Devanagari script.
The Digital Divide
We live in a restless age when
waiting for a 30-second video to end feels like a chore in today's fast-paced
society. Since instant satisfaction is commonplace, communication is moving
more and more towards brief exchanges in this setting, frequently eschewing the
depth of written expression. For many of us, writing—especially in its
conventional forms—takes a backseat to language as a means of instant
connection. As per the Oxjournal, there has been a noticeable change in younger
populations, especially those under 30, with a clear preference for visual or
audio information over written content, including videos and social media
posts. This inclination illustrates a larger pattern in which more conventional
modes of reading and writing are gradually being replaced by the quick
consumption of multimedia content on websites like YouTube, Instagram, and
TikTok. An increasing issue is brought to light by these trends: we run the
risk of losing touch with the more profound facets of language, like
composition, syntax, and the subtleties of written communication, as we become
more dependent on digital communication technologies. The preservation of
linguistic identities and cultural legacy may also be impacted by this change,
as less durable digital mediums replace textual traditions.
The obstacle lies in adaptability
rather than preservation. Languages like Nepali run the risk of falling behind
in the technology revolution, even though English currently rules the digital
world. Keyboard layouts and optical character recognition (OCR) systems present
unique obstacles for traditional script systems, such as Devanagari, when it
comes to digital integration.
AI as a Bridge, Not a Barrier
Artificial intelligence, however,
may provide surprising answers. Traditional languages have a chance to flourish
in the digital era thanks to recent advancements in machine learning and
natural language processing (NLP). AI-driven technologies can now:
? Make it easier to translate between
Nepali and other languages in real time.
? Improve digital text recognition of
Devanagari script
? Provide flexible learning
environments to preserve language.
? Create material in Nepali while
preserving linguistic integrity.
By building databases, digitizing
manuscripts, and making historical texts available online, artificial
intelligence (AI) can aid in the preservation and digitisation of endangered
languages. AI-driven platforms and applications can offer engaging educational
opportunities, assisting younger generations in rediscovering their mother
tongue. Additionally, spoken Nepali can be converted into written form by AI
algorithms, increasing the language's accessibility, particularly in casual
settings like social media. By providing resources on proper Nepali grammar,
writing, and pronunciation, it can promote the use of Devanagari script.
Technology can become more useful and relevant in everyday communication and
education with the help of localized AI models that are sensitive to Nepali
quirks. With real-time translation and subtitling tools, artificial
intelligence (AI) can also help break down linguistic boundaries and promote
Nepali to a worldwide audience, increasing its prominence.
Challenges and Opportunities
The Digital Language Diversity Project (2023) estimates that languages
with a significant online presence have a threefold higher chance of surviving
in the ensuing decades. This offers an opportunity and a challenge for the
Nepali language and its speakers.
Significant concerns regarding
Nepali's future are brought up by recent debates regarding the country's
classical language status, where a number of languages, including Bengali,
Assamese and Marathi, have been granted this esteemed designation. Even though
the language has challenges achieving the requirements for classical status,
especially the requirement of 1,500–2,000 years of documented history, this
offers a chance to investigate contemporary preservation techniques,
particularly those using artificial intelligence.
Through useful applications,
artificial intelligence (AI) has the ability to drastically change the
promotion and preservation of Nepali. AI-powered OCR technologies, for example,
can digitize old Nepali manuscripts, and ChatGPT-like virtual language teachers
can provide individualized instruction. Though sophisticated AI models could
increase accuracy and maintain regional languages, Google Translate and
Microsoft Translator already handle Nepali. The language is now easier to use
in everyday digital life thanks to smart keyboards that can predict Nepali text
and voice assistants that can comprehend Nepali commands. Furthermore, older
speakers' stories can be transcribed using speech recognition AI to assist
preserve oral traditions, and machine learning algorithms can classify and
archive traditional poetry and folk tunes. While maintaining its rich cultural
legacy, these technological advancements guarantee that Nepali will continue to
be relevant in our digital age.
NEP 2020: A New Dawn for Indian Nepali Language Education
In particular, the National
Education Policy 2020's focus on mother tongue instruction and the creation of
the Ability Enhancement Course (AEC), offers an exceptional opportunity for the
advancement of the Indian Nepali language. A potential precedent for other
areas has been established by the numerous educational institutions in Assam
that have already begun integrating Nepali language programs. Particularly for
students in areas with sizable Nepali-speaking populations, the flexibility of
the NEP system, which promotes lifelong learning, is consistent with the
possibility of providing Nepali language and literature as an elective under
AEC. Institutions can take advantage of an ideal opportunity to promote the
rich cultural history of Nepali-speaking communities and improve students'
language proficiency by integrating Nepali language courses into the AEC
framework.
The Role of Nepali-Speaking Individuals: A way forward
Through digital innovation, youth participation, and workable solutions, intellectuals and academics may play a critical role in promoting and maintaining the Nepali language within Indian Nepali (Gorkha) communities. They can promote a stronger bond with the language by producing content that emphasizes Indian Nepali literature and culture, building multilingual applications, and setting up digital repositories of renowned authors. They might also discuss the influence on Nepali literary traditions, particularly in metropolitan areas, of the growing demand for English schooling. Online forums, literary festivals, and partnerships with academic institutions such as Sikkim University, BHU, and NBU etc. can all be crucial in interacting with young people. In order to foster a stronger bond between generations, social media can also be used to advertise culture, host contests, and digitally record regional languages and customs.
(Asmita Bharadwaj is a Research
Scholar at Intellectual Forum of North East. Views are personal. Email: asmitaassam@gmail.com)
