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 Ever since mobile phones and modern technology came, Urdu has been replaced by Roman, due to which the Urdu language is declining.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
What specific challenges do you face in promoting the use of traditional Urdu script among younger generations, and how do you address them through Google Crowdsource?
**Interview with Kashif Masidia: Promoting Urdu through Google Crowdsource**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Kashif. Can you start by telling us about your role with Google Crowdsource and how you got involved?
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me. I am a mentor for Google Crowdsource, one of only 21 mentors worldwide. I got involved because I saw a decline in the use of Urdu due to the rise of technology and mobile phones, which have led many to switch to Roman script. I felt compelled to protect and promote our national language, so I decided to volunteer my efforts to help Google improve its language capabilities in Urdu, Pashto, and Sindhi.
**Interviewer:** You’ve mentioned a decline in the trend of writing and reading Urdu. What do you believe are the key factors contributing to this trend?
**Kashif Masidia:** The primary reason is the influence of modern technology and the convenience it offers, which often comes at the expense of our native scripts. Many young people now prefer Roman Urdu over writing in our traditional script, which I believe is detrimental to the integrity of our language. I hope to change this by encouraging more people to engage with Urdu through platforms like Google.
**Interviewer:** How do you contribute to Google Crowdsource, and what impact do you believe your contributions have?
**Kashif Masidia:** I provide Urdu content through Google Crowdsource, which involves correcting and enhancing the language tools that Google offers. This work helps ensure that Google accurately represents Urdu, making it accessible to a broader audience globally. My goal is to ensure that Urdu isn’t just seen as a dialect but is recognized as a robust and vibrant language.
**Interviewer:** You are volunteering your time for this cause. What motivates you to continue despite not being a paid employee of Google?
**Kashif Masidia:** My motivation comes from a deep love for my language and my community. I believe in the cultural significance of Urdu, and I want future generations to appreciate and use it as actively as we did in the past. Additionally, volunteering with Google Crowdsource allows me to gain knowledge in AI and machine learning through their courses, which is invaluable.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite inspiring! How do you envision the future of Urdu with the help of technology?
**Kashif Masidia:** I am hopeful. With continued effort from volunteers and support from platforms like Google, we can reverse the decline of Urdu. If we make it easier for young people to engage with our language digitally, we can help revive interest and usage. It’s all about making Urdu relevant in the digital age.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Kashif, for sharing your insights and passion for promoting Urdu. Your work is vital in preserving and evolving the language in this modern era.
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me! Together, we can make a difference for Urdu and its speakers.