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 Ever since mobile phones and modern technology came, Urdu has been replaced by Roman, due to which the Urdu language is declining.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 does Kashif Masidia view the impact of technology on the traditional usage of Urdu language in Pakistan?
**Interview with Kashif Masidia: Promoting Urdu Through Google Crowdsource**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Kashif. Can you start by telling us a bit about your role as a Google Crowdsource mentor and what motivated you to become involved?
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for having me. As a mentor for Google Crowdsource, I help improve language resources for Urdu and other regional languages like Pashto and Sindhi. There are only about 21 mentors globally, and I’m proud to represent Karachi. My motivation stems from a deep love for my national language, Urdu, and a desire to ensure it doesn’t fade away in this digital age.
**Editor:** You mentioned the decline of Urdu usage due to technology. Can you elaborate on that concern?
**Kashif Masidia:** Certainly. With the rise of mobile technology, many young people in Pakistan have started using Roman Urdu for communication, which is impacting the traditional script and the richness of the language. This trend worries me as it contributes to Urdu being perceived merely as a dialect rather than a vibrant language with its own identity. My goal is to reverse this trend by leveraging platforms like Google.
**Editor:** That’s commendable. How does the Google Crowdsource platform help you in your efforts to promote Urdu?
**Kashif Masidia:** Google Crowdsource allows volunteers like me to contribute content and improve language recognition for Urdu. By providing data and feedback, we help to enhance Google’s understanding of the language, which in turn improves its algorithms and services. It’s crucial for making Urdu more accessible to global audiences.
**Editor:** You mentioned that you’re not a paid employee of Google but a volunteer. What drives you to dedicate your time to this cause?
**Kashif Masidia:** It’s purely my passion for the language and community. I also see personal benefits. As I contribute, I get access to valuable resources, such as AI and machine learning courses offered by Google for free, along with certifications. This not only helps me grow professionally but also equips me with skills that are increasingly relevant in today’s job market.
**Editor:** Before we conclude, what message do you want to share with our readers regarding the preservation of Urdu?
**Kashif Masidia:** I urge everyone to embrace our national language and make a conscious effort to use it in their daily lives—whether in writing, reading, or speaking. It’s crucial for our cultural identity. By participating in platforms like Google Crowdsource, we can collectively work towards preserving and enhancing Urdu for future generations.
**Editor:** Thank you so much, Kashif, for your insights and for the important work you’re doing to promote Urdu.
**Kashif Masidia:** Thank you for the opportunity to share!