Alice Chambers |
Microsoft is working with the Government of Nunavut in Canada to help preserve and promote Inuktut languages in Azure AI Speech services.
Inuktut is the collective term for Inuit languages and dialects spoken in Nunavut, which includes Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.
The partnership has captured audio to train artificial intelligence models. Two of those voices, Siqiniq (female) and Taqqiq (male) are now available for text-to-speech across Microsoft platforms including Edge browser, using Read Aloud and Microsoft Translator in Bing.
“Children can now hear stories in their language, bringing oral traditions to life in classrooms and homes,” said Derek Kirk, senior communications at Microsoft Canada, in a blog post titled ‘Amplifying Inuktitut Voices in the Digital Age with the Power of Technology’. “Elders can share their knowledge more widely, preserving invaluable cultural wisdom. Healthcare workers can use the technology to communicate vital medical terms in Inuktut, improving care and fostering trust. And Inuit living far from home can stay connected to their roots in a way that feels immediate and personal.”
The initiative is part of the government’s Preservation and Promotion of Inuktut Through Technology Project, led by the Department of Culture and Heritage, to make language more accessible and integrated into daily life across Nunavut.
“This project is possible because of the hard work and dedication of Nunavummiut from across the territory, many of whom donated their knowledge and expertise to make this application a reality,” said Premier P. J. Akeeagok, minister of culture and heritage for the Government of Nunavut. “Your efforts will mean continued access to Inuktut for our tech-savvy generation of children and youth.”
The Government of Nunavut is using Microsoft technology to preserve and promote Inuktitut
“With this collaboration, we are combining innovative AI technology with the rich cultural heritage of the Inuit languages,” said Chris Barry, president of Microsoft Canada. “This project highlights the incredible power of partnerships to create meaningful, transformative solutions. We are honoured to work alongside the Government of Nunavut and communities across Nunavut to ensure Inuktut is accessible in a digital era.”
