Language is the primary method of communicating information and knowledge, which in turn are the crucial factors in economic, educational and social well-being. Everyone speaks one, two or more languages and to communicate, learn and work in one’s own language is a human right. Our everyday life is increasingly dependent on technology and our digital lives are dependent on our languages. The intersection of language and technology is not well understood and we are creating a roadmap, workflows and resources to help all languages have equal digital footprint. 

We seek a world where speakers of all languages will have equal digital opportunities and share knowledge. Our mission is to provide a roadmap and create resources for a digital ecosystem where all languages are equal and speakers can pursue educational, cultural and economic opportunities.

Each language in the world has a different digital footprint. Even some of the top 20 languages are not fully represented in the entire digital roadmap shown below. It is a complex and multi-stakeholder journey for any language to be fully developed digitally. Without fonts and input methods, thousands of indigenous languages cannot even start such a journey. Without educational material, there will be limited content and, without datasets, most languages will not have fully-functional automation support in applications. Without properly trained linguists, knowledge will not be shared and cultural treasures will be lost. 

With many international agencies and companies working towards 100% connectivity, we ask: In what language will the next billion people use the internet? Bringing connectivity to emerging countries will solve many problems and create great opportunities. BUT connectivity alone will not allow people to be online unless their language is digitally supported. To partake fully in the benefits of online connectivity, people will need to be able to type, speak and read the online material in their own language. 

Translation Commons, a nonprofit public charity, aims to provide a reliable and scalable method of digitally rendering a language. We seek to solve the problem that unrepresented languages have in participating in a global communications network. We present a methodology that can easily be utilized by non-technical users to meet the particular needs of their language. Our Strategic Plan for the next 12 years is in accordance with the newly announced International Decade of Indigenous Languages and are already working on it. Our network of volunteers comes from all language specializations, our educational network of universities and schools is rapidly expanding and our platform offers free training and practice for new linguists, putting Translation Commons in a unique position to be the Language Technology partner among the team of Partner Organizations striving for 100% global connectivity and addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our social-civil society partnership with International Year of Indigenous Languages and working with UNESCO has solidified our commitment to the next 12 years Action Plan for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032).