Google launches Language Explorer to explore linguistic diversity

From two languages to hundreds

For more than two decades, Google has been developing language technologies with the aim of covering as many languages as possible. In 2006, Google Translate supported only English and Arabic. Today, the service works with nearly 250 languages and translates about a trillion words each month.

Google says collaboration with local communities helps it expand language support. The company is involved in Project Vaani in India and Project Waxal in Africa, where it works with local organizations to collect thousands of hours of open audio recordings in languages that receive little attention.

Data collection is only part of the work to support languages. Google also works with language speakers, academic institutions and cultural organizations. Among these projects, the company cites a coalition with the Gates Foundation. Accounting for linguistic diversity helps develop products including Gboard for Android, which supports more than 900 language variants.

A map of linguistic diversity

Language Explorer lets users explore languages around the world and view their diversity through visualizations. The platform is built on the open LinguaMeta dataset and brings together information on thousands of languages. Its developers also say earlier visualization projects, such as Google Earth, influenced the concept.

Exhibition in Berlin and online access

Language Explorer is presented as an interactive installation at the Real Talk! Sprache. Macht. Welt. exhibition at the Museum of Communication in Berlin. The exhibition explores how language shapes identity, society and technology. It will run in Berlin until February 2028, then at the Museum of Communication in Frankfurt until September 2029.

Starting November 6, visitors can explore the exhibition’s themes in the museum’s online section. Language Explorer itself is also available online, separately from the exhibition. Google links the project to its broader work on language technologies for people who speak, read or use sign languages.

Dataist’s take: Language Explorer brings language data into public education. It can be used online and as part of a museum exhibition. The platform is one element of Google’s broader work, which the company says includes collaboration with local communities and organizations.