Tripura Minister Announces Chakma Language on Google Translate
Tripura boosts Chakma language with Google integration.
In a landmark move to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Chakma community, the Tripura government announced on Tuesday that the Chakma language will be integrated into the Google translation platform, enabling seamless conversion of Chakma content into English, Hindi, and Bengali. Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed this decision following a meeting of the advisory committee for the development of the Chakma language, signaling a significant step toward digital inclusion for one of Tripura’s indigenous tribes.
The state government also declared that August 7 will be observed as Chakma Language and Script Day starting next year, aimed at celebrating and safeguarding the linguistic identity of the Chakma community. “These initiatives reflect our commitment to protecting the culture and languages of all indigenous communities in Tripura,” Nath emphasized. The advisory committee has already compiled a database of 50,000 Chakma words for the Google Translate project, with plans to collect an additional 50,000 to enhance the platform’s accuracy and functionality.
According to the 2011 census, Tripura is home to approximately 79,000 Chakma individuals, a figure estimated to have grown to around 1.2 lakh. The Chakma language is currently taught in 123 government schools across the state, serving over 4,000 students from classes I to VIII, supported by 172 Chakma-speaking teachers. To further advance the language’s development, the advisory committee decided to form nine sub-committees tasked with addressing various aspects of linguistic preservation and promotion.
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This milestone follows the successful inclusion of Kokborok, the mother tongue of the Tripuri tribe, on Google Translate, setting a precedent for digital accessibility of indigenous languages. Nath reiterated the government’s dedication to nurturing the languages of all 19 tribes in Tripura, ensuring their cultural legacies thrive in the digital age. The integration of Chakma into Google Translate is expected to empower the community, enhance educational outreach, and foster greater connectivity with the global linguistic ecosystem.
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