Learning a New Language Can Help Preserve Indigenous Cultures
, 2023-01-26 21:37:26,
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- By Justin Neely
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Guest Opinion. The United States is home to more than 331 million people, yet only 21 percent of the population speaks more than one language—a staggering statistic compared to countries across Europe.
Foreign language classes, especially at the collegiate level, have declined in recent years. Additionally, languages are commonly lost between generations as immigrant families adapt to the dominant culture and struggle to stay connected to their parents’ mother tongue.
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This phenomenon has also had a profound impact on Native American tribes. Out of 300 Indigenous languages once spoken in the U.S., only 175 remain. What can be done to stop their extinction?
Language learning apps, like Duolingo and Babbel, are rising in popularity. And in an effort to preserve its unique language and culture, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN) recently partnered with Google’s Arts and Culture department on Woolaroo, a new artificial intelligence learning experience. Woolaroo uses facial recognition technology to identify common objects, translating pictures into words in real time. CPN is the only Indigenous tribe in the U.S. featured, and this technology is one of…
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