Linguistic Adaptation of Digital Technology
Understanding how language plays an important role in two-way learning between people and technology.
Amala Mukundadas, Vijay Chaitanya
History
The evolution of culture and language led to the formation of various forms through which humans have conceptualized technology and its usage. The technological artifacts or concepts are coined at a particular time, by a specific group of people or a person. A term is specified to explain its usage and functions. This is then subjected to various discourses. If the inventors get
to name and address a form of technology, should it be expressed the same everywhere? Why is there a lack in the literature to address digital technology?
Certain cultures have already coined their technological terminologies. For example, at the University of Iceland (1964) they called their first computer tölva which was a combination of two Icelandic terms tala which meant number and völva that meant prophetess that created a poetic phrase ‘Prophetess of numbers’. Another great example in the Indian context is how Tamil culture embraces technology, translating and coining their terms for every artifact, including the word ‘technology’ which is Toḻilnuṭpam. This goes to show that technology can fluidly be adopted and inculcated into cultures, so why do we still experience this gap?
Our understanding.
A computer has been known as a ticket vending machine in a remote village of Andhra Pradesh, where people do not see its form or any of its components which gives out its name. The only thing visible is a monitor that is being used for interaction and a small printer outlet to collect the ticket. There are similar examples that have shown a deviation in usage and naming of technology with respect to how it was initially intended to be addressed by the innovators. When it comes to language, throughout time, explorations within one’s own language have been reduced and adaptation from other languages has been seen to increase. The work on literature to express technology or lifestyle has been also hindered along the way. A chair in English is known as ‘Kursi’ in Hindi and ‘Kurchi’ in Telugu. From objects to names of jobs and political positions, all of them have been explored and termed by different names in different languages as and when people experienced them. On the other hand, Digital Technology seems to create its own language which people started exploring, more than any other language.
The other aspect of it is understanding what led to the adaptation of new terminologies in different languages.
One of the factors which were identified is the origin and usage of an object/artifact in multiple geographical locations. For example, let’s consider medicine. Throughout the world, people faced problems related to health and illness. A need emerged to solve this problem. People
started discovering their own cures for different diseases. Medicine became subject to study.
The languages of these different locations conceptualized a name and meaning for medicine, ‘Dava’ in Hindi and ‘Vaidyam’ in Telugu etc.
Another way to look at it is certain objects were attached to daily life and daily need of the people who obtained their terms in different languages. For example, A very specific variant in footwear like Slippers which was used widely by masses on a daily basis was named ‘Chappal’ in
Hindi and ‘Cheppulu’ in Telugu.
Now, if a computer is so widely used everywhere why does it not have a name in different languages?
To answer this let’s take a revolution before the digital revolution, the industrial revolution. It started in Britan around the 18th century (https://www.britannica.com/event/Industrial-Revolution) and later different parts of the world identified and adapted it. They identified the
processes and terminologies and came up with terms for different elements involved in it. For example, a factory was termed as ‘Karkhana’ in Hindi and ‘Parisrama’ in Telugu. The other elements associated with industries also acquired their names along with it. In Telugu, raw materials are called as ‘Mudi Saruku’, labour is known as ‘Karmikulu’, production is known as ‘Utpatti’ and godowns are known as ‘Giddangulu’.
As we can see within two centuries and its usage in various locations apart from the location of origin has brought in different terminologies to address this technology and elements around it, maybe digital technology might also follow the same. Although a computer was coined long back the rise of the whole digital era is very recent, which is the last 3 decades. A fair chance can be we can see a similar pattern in digital technology. On the other hand in a few countries where people are considering English to be a superior language,
and addition in literature around their own native language is reducing, these kinds of explorations may not be visible. All we might see in a later phase is a rough translation of the meaning or the concept related to the technology.
To counter this, it is important to teach the younger generations these native languages in a more a contextual and relevant manner which includes an understanding of language that is based around digital technology.
Other questions to be explored
Can the literature include content to comprehend digital technology in a new way? Can the language reflect the technology in the context of use to the area it is spoken or written in? Can language and various discourses around it rephrase technological concepts or products? Can technology be re-conceptualized and termed through time using different words to express itself better?
Approaching the problem
Maybe not at a synchronous pace but a few languages like Tamil try to understand and make terms and meanings for the innovations. If sources of knowledge like news, fictional and non-fictional books, texts and articles include conceptualizing and usage of technology to make
people aware of it across various linguistic boundaries, we can see a larger spectrum of its capabilities and evolution.
Vision.
If digital technology was to be made available to comprehend in different languages, we would see two-way learning and growth. The context, capabilities, and functions of digital technology can be understood by many people including people across remote areas and villages. This can
help them to look at digital technology through the lens of their problems or wishes, and help the technology to evolve and solve a larger set of problems as well.
Outreach and growth.
This year, Google has launched an app called ‘Bolo’ that is free and helps children in rural India learn how to read. This is an assistive technology that provides positive and corrective feedback to children using it. It tracks progress and uses a gamified experience that is fun and helps create
a habit to use the application. If this kind of concept could be made available to the general population which is focused on learning technology through native languages, it could change the way we see and speak about digital technology.
To maintain such a system that addresses digital technology, a proper structure and organizations need to be set in place to ensure this is a constant evolution process that reaches the right audience. Writers publishing work related to this context should be acknowledged and supported.
This would increase the reach and awareness of technology across various linguistic and economic boundaries.
