The search engine Google has been providing the facilities of writing and reading in dozens of languages to millions of people in the world for many years, but the citizens of Karachi are not only ‘teaching’ Google Urdu, Pashto and Sindhi, but also ‘improving’ Google in these languages. are also doing
Kashif and Rizwan from Karachi are volunteering to promote Urdu at Google.
In a conversation with Independent Urdu, Google volunteer Kashif Masidia said that ‘I am the mentor of Google Crowdsource. There are about 21 mentors in the world, of which I am one.
Kashif says that the trend of writing and reading Urdu has decreased in Pakistan. Ever since mobile phones and modern technology came, Urdu has been replaced by Roman, due to which the Urdu language is declining.
‘To protect my national language, I am learning Urdu from Google. An application is crowd-sourced because I don’t want Urdu to remain just a dialect.’
Content creator Kashif Masidia says, ‘When computer came in Pakistan, Urdu keyboard was also used, which is not seen anywhere now. I provide Urdu content to Google through Google Crowdsource so that the world knows that the national language of Pakistan is Urdu.
According to him, he is not a direct employee of Google but is working as a volunteer ‘for the love of his language and for the love of his community’.
He says that all of this gives him the advantage that after a certain level by providing data to Google crowdsource, there is an offer that ‘you can learn the various AI and machine learning courses we have for free. can Not only will you learn it, but you’ll get a certification for it, and that’s what we pay for.’
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Up to 60% Google gives the correct translation of Urdu, because more and more content is being framed in Urdu on Google compared to the past, but the need is that every Pakistani, every Urdu speaker comes to Google Crowdsource and translates Urdu. Play your role for promotion because everyone has their own style of writing, thus, countless Urdu content will be collected on Google.’
They also said that they provide data to Google for Urdu as well as Pashto and Sindhi. “Sindhi speakers give more data for the development of Sindhi language, that’s why Sindhi translation is better than Urdu.”
Volunteer Rizwan Shah told Independent Urdu that regarding Google Translation, ‘We provide information to Google through crowd source. Crowdsource is an app that can be downloaded from the Play Store.’
He said that through this app, those students who want to read information or any English literature, we can help them in translation. Also, if you write Urdu in writing, take a picture and upload it, Google will recognize it.
‘A book written in any language through Google Lens is easily translated into Urdu, Sindhi and Pashto.’
#Citizens #Karachi #teach #Urdu #Google
How do you feel your role as a Google Crowdsource Mentor has influenced the representation and promotion of Urdu among digital platforms?
**Interview with Kashif Masidia, Google Crowdsource Mentor from Karachi**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Kashif. Can you start by telling us a bit about your role with Google Crowdsource?
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me! I am currently a mentor for Google Crowdsource, one of only 21 mentors worldwide. My role involves guiding volunteers who contribute their local languages, including Urdu, Pashto, and Sindhi, to improve Google’s offerings.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive! What motivated you to get involved in this initiative?
**Kashif Masidia:** My primary motivation is the love for my national language, Urdu, and a deep concern about its decline. With the rise of mobile technology, many people in Pakistan have shifted to writing in Roman Urdu, which is affecting our cultural heritage. By contributing to Google, I hope to protect and promote Urdu as a recognized language on digital platforms.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the decline of Urdu literacy in Pakistan. Could you elaborate on this trend?
**Kashif Masidia:** Certainly. Traditionally, Urdu was widely taught using specific keyboards, but this has disappeared with modern technology taking over. As a result, many young people are losing touch with reading and writing in their native script. I want to change that by providing resources and content that can help revive interest in the Urdu language.
**Interviewer:** What are some specific contributions you’ve made to the Google platform?
**Kashif Masidia:** I provide various types of content through Google Crowdsource. This includes translating phrases, improving search algorithms, and ensuring the accuracy of language processing for Urdu. Essentially, I want to demonstrate that Urdu is not just a dialect but a fully developed language worthy of digital representation.
**Interviewer:** How do you think your efforts are impacting Google’s services in Pakistani languages?
**Kashif Masidia:** I believe that my contributions, alongside those of other volunteers, are making a significant impact. We are not just teaching Google our languages; we are actively improving its utility for Urdu speakers everywhere. People are starting to see the value in using Urdu online, and that’s a huge step forward.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what personal benefits do you gain from being a part of Google Crowdsource?
**Kashif Masidia:** Besides the joy of helping my community, I gain access to various AI and machine learning courses offered by Google. Once I reach certain milestones in contributing data, I can learn about advanced topics that interest me, and even receive certification. It’s a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Kashif, for sharing your insights and for your dedication to promoting the Urdu language through technology!
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me! I hope to inspire others to join this movement for our beloved language.
