From February 24th to 26th, the LT4ALL (Language Technologies for All – Advancing Humanism through Language Technologies) conference was held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The theme of the conference was "Language Technologies for All," with a particular focus on representatives of small and endangered languages. The purpose of the conference was to promote the development of language technology by emphasizing the importance of strengthening underrepresented languages, cultures and communities. Discussions covered the relationship between technology, language, and society from scientific, technological, cultural, linguistic, economic, political, and ethical perspectives. The goal is to harness technology not only to advance itself but also to support and enhance the capabilities and opportunities of individuals. As a direct outcome of the conference, a report with conclusions, recommendations, and an action plan will be prepared and submitted to UNESCO.
Three people from the Centre for Language Technology were invited to participate in the conference alongside more than 400 attendees from all over the world, including researchers, politicians, officials, and companies. Over three days, there were presentations, discussions, and talks on various topics. Each day had a different theme: 1) Achievements, 2) Challenges, and 3) Solutions.
Our group, Barbara, Iben, and Dávid, was asked to present a poster on Faroese and our work with language technology. The presentation can be found here. Many attendees were interested in learning about the state of the Faroese language, and we established valuable connections with relevant people. Barbara was also asked to contribute to writing the final report, which shows our staff being recognised and valued.
In addition to learning about new technologies and possibilities, we had a unique opportunity to hear about the conditions of several small languages worldwide that we do not usually work with. Although the Centre for Language Technology primarily focuses on Faroese, it is beneficial to broaden our linguistic perspective. The technological situations of small and endangered languages vary greatly, but a common conclusion was that language technology development should be driven by local societal needs and desires. A key takeaway from the conference was the crucial importance of native speakers and local communities being involved in the development of language technology. This principle is also a fundamental part of our work and research at the Centre for Language Technology.
The conference was held in connection with the UN International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), and that International Mother Language Day on February 21st.
