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 Ever since mobile phones and modern technology came, Urdu has been replaced by Roman, due to which the Urdu language is declining.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 can individuals participate in promoting the Urdu language through Google Crowdsource?
**Interview with Kashif Masidia: Promoting Urdu Through Google Crowdsource**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Kashif. As a mentor for Google Crowdsource, can you tell us more about your role and the importance of your work in promoting the Urdu language?
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me! As a mentor at Google Crowdsource, my main role is to guide and support contributors who are working to improve Google’s understanding of the Urdu language and other regional languages like Pashto and Sindhi. There are about 21 of us mentors worldwide, and our goal is to ensure that these languages are represented accurately on Google’s platforms.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a decline in the trend of writing and reading Urdu in Pakistan. What do you attribute this decline to, and what steps do you think are necessary to reverse it?
**Kashif Masidia:** The decline is primarily due to the rise of mobile technology and the increasing use of Roman Urdu. Many people find it easier to type in Roman script, which affects the traditional way of writing in Urdu. To combat this, we need to promote awareness about the importance of our national language and provide accessible platforms for users to learn and write in Urdu. That’s exactly what I aim to do through Crowdsource.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a noble mission. Could you elaborate on how Google Crowdsource works and how people can get involved?
**Kashif Masidia:** Absolutely! Google Crowdsource is an application where volunteers contribute data to help improve language processing and translation for languages that are less represented. This includes tasks like correcting translations, adding new words, or providing local knowledge. Anyone interested can download the app and start contributing. It’s open to everyone who wants to support their language.
**Interviewer:** What inspires you to volunteer for this initiative, especially since you mentioned you are not a direct employee of Google?
**Kashif Masidia:** My motivation comes from a deep love for my language and my community. I believe that Urdu is more than just a dialect; it’s a vital part of our identity. By contributing to Crowdsource, I can help preserve this heritage for future generations. Plus, as I continue to provide data, I receive opportunities to learn about AI and machine learning through free courses, which is an added bonus.
**Interviewer:** That sounds fantastic! What impact do you hope to see in the future as a result of your efforts and the efforts of others like you?
**Kashif Masidia:** I hope to see greater recognition and use of Urdu in digital platforms. It’s imperative that Urdu continues to thrive and evolves with the technology of our times. My ultimate goal is to ensure that people in Pakistan and around the world can engage with our language in a meaningful way, making sure it doesn’t fade into obscurity.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Kashif, for sharing your insights and for your dedication to promoting Urdu. It’s inspiring to see individuals taking such active roles in preserving their language and culture.
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to share my thoughts, and I encourage everyone to get involved in preserving our linguistic heritage.
