“An A.I. Translation Tool Can Help Save Dying Languages. But at What Cost?” was honestly one of the first AI-centered pieces in this class that didn’t leave me feeling scared, disgusted, hopeless. After Ebony and my’s pathfinding presentation, I felt pretty bleak regarding any sorta Ai reading/early literacy centered gadgets. So, I understandably felt quite hesitant before reading.

However, as I worked through this article, my demeanour shifted for the better. I have loved learning about different languages my entire life and value how it shows a group’s or culture’s story- past and future.

While this article largely focused on how the tech represented previously ignored and unrepresented certain Asian-centered languages, my mind drifted towards imagining how this application can breathe new life into Native American languages.

After reading Natalie Diaz’ I”f What I Mean Is Hummingbird, If What I Mean Is Fall Into My Mouth,” a few semesters back, I had feelings of both deep admiration and deep sadness for the layers upon layers of meaning n history embedded into indigenous people’s native tongues. After being colonized and forced to retreat such a beautiful form of communication, more n more Natives stopped speaking it, and were unable to keep such a priceless method of sharing n communicating as nursed n nurtured as it should be.

Inserting such indigenous languages into an app like this would be incredibly helpful. Descendants of native speakers can connecting to the language of their grandparents and parents in such connective ways. People can begin to promote such a connection and multilngualism in their small children. Even grown adults could learn, or relearn, the language through translated, accessible fairy tales HOWEVER………………….

Idk just seeing how our country has horribly treated indigenous people…. I feel nervy introducing such an idea. Ai and its environmental impact will likely hit these populations the very hardest. And…. all these things I am discussing n sharing can still be done with REAL people- not robots. Still.

Everything Ai is new n shiny. And cheap. At least this present doesn’t have a bomb (directly) strapped to it..