Algerian Radio
Google has announced the launch of a new feature within its Google Translate service, allowing users to practice pronouncing foreign languages using artificial intelligence techniques. This launch coincides with the 20th anniversary of the service's inception.
The feature, which Google has been testing for some time, provides an interactive experience that helps users improve their pronunciation through listening and repetition.
The feature appears within the app via the 'Practice' button, offering two options: pronouncing words or listening to their correct pronunciation by native speakers. When the pronunciation option is selected, the app listens to the user's voice and analyzes the articulation using artificial intelligence to provide instant feedback. It also displays a phonetic transcription to illustrate the correct pronunciation, helping to correct errors with precision.
The feature is currently available in the Google Translate app on Android, supporting a selection of languages during a limited launch phase, with plans to expand later to include more languages and all users worldwide.
Google noted that about a third of the app's mobile users rely on it to develop speaking and listening skills for real-life conversations, which reinforces the importance of this new addition.
In a related context, the company clarified that Google Translate now supports over 250 languages, including endangered and local ones. The service has surpassed one billion monthly users, who translate more than a trillion words every month.
