I am Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, a proud member of the Karay-a ethnolinguistic group, one of the many indigenous communities in the Philippines. Growing up, my mother made sure I understood my family's roots. She spoke to me in Karay-a, shared our traditional stories, and emphasized the importance of our language in shaping who we are. Because of her, I can still speak Karay-a fluently, but I know not everyone in my community is as fortunate. Many young people struggle with the language, and fewer grow up fluent in it. Like many languages worldwide, Karay-a is at risk of extinction as global languages like English and Filipino dominate our daily lives.
This is not just a problem for Karay-a. Nearly 40% of the world’s 7,000 languages are endangered, and hundreds have already disappeared. This is more than a linguistic issue—it’s a cultural crisis. When a language dies, it takes with it stories, traditions, and a unique worldview. It erases a vital part of humanity’s history and identity. Yet, despite the dire situation, there is hope. Far from being the end, AI has the potential to become the savior of marginalized, endangered, and even extinct languages.
How AI Can Empower Endangered Languages
Artificial intelligence is often viewed with apprehension, especially when discussing its potential to replace human roles or diminish cultural practices. But what if we looked at AI differently? Instead of seeing it as a threat, we could view it as a tool to revive endangered languages.
For languages like Karay-a, AI offers a chance to bridge the gap between older generations fluent in the language and younger generations losing connection to their linguistic heritage. Through platforms like NightOwlGPT, AI can provide real-time translation tools, interactive learning modules, and cultural insights that help users reconnect with their native tongues. With AI, communities can not only document their languages but actively teach them to future generations, ensuring they are spoken, celebrated, and passed on.
Empowering the Marginalized
Language is more than words. It is the thread that binds a community, carrying centuries of knowledge, beliefs, and traditions. For marginalized communities, language is often the key to preserving their cultural identity in the face of external pressures to assimilate. When these languages disappear, so does the connection to their identity.
AI can be a powerful ally in reversing this trend. Platforms like NightOwlGPT are designed to make AI technology accessible to all, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard in the digital age. By supporting endangered languages through translation, educational tools, and cultural resources, AI empowers communities to reclaim and protect their linguistic heritage.
This isn’t just about saving languages; it’s about empowering communities. When people feel connected to their language, they feel a deeper connection to their culture, history, and each other. In this way, AI can become a tool for unity and cultural pride.
Reviving Lost Languages
AI’s potential doesn’t stop at preserving endangered languages—it can even help revive those that are already lost. By analyzing archived recordings, texts, and other linguistic materials, AI can assist linguists in reconstructing lost languages, offering a pathway for their rebirth.
Imagine a future where forgotten languages are no longer confined to old books but are spoken again, thanks to AI-powered educational tools. Children who have never heard their ancestral language can engage with it, speak it, and become part of its revival. In this context, AI doesn’t just preserve history—it creates a future where diverse linguistic traditions are celebrated and supported.
A New Beginning, Not the End
As a member of the Karay-a community, I see how crucial language is to preserving our identity and connection to the past. And while we face challenges, I am filled with hope. AI won’t mark the end of humanity; instead, it will play a vital role in reviving voices that are marginalized, endangered, or forgotten.
The story of language extinction doesn’t have to end in silence. With AI as our tool, we can breathe new life into the languages that shape our world, ensuring that future generations—whether they speak Karay-a, Navajo, or any endangered language—can carry their linguistic heritage forward. This is not the end; it’s the start of a new chapter.