In a landmark step to preserve tribal languages, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched the beta version of ‘Adi Vaani’, India’s first AI-based tribal language translator. Developed under the Tribal Pride Year initiative, this project is expected to be a game-changer for communication, education, and cultural preservation in tribal regions.
The beta version is now available on the Google Play Store, with an iOS version set to launch soon. A web platform is also being developed, ensuring wider accessibility. The key objective of Adi Vaani is to bridge the communication gap between tribal and non-tribal communities while using AI technology to safeguard endangered tribal languages.
What is Adi Vaani?
Adi Vaani is an AI-powered translation tool designed as the foundation of a larger language model for tribal dialects. It blends advanced technology with community participation to help document, preserve, and revive tribal languages and cultures that are at risk of being lost.
Why was Adi Vaani developed?
India is home to 461 tribal languages and 71 mother tongues, many of which are endangered. According to experts, 81 tribal languages are currently vulnerable, while 42 are severely endangered due to poor documentation and lack of intergenerational transmission. Adi Vaani aims to address this challenge. The tool has been jointly developed by BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Nava Raipur, under the leadership of IIT Delhi, with active contributions from Tribal Research Institutes in Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya.
Where will it be used?
Adi Vaani will enable real-time translation between Hindi/English and tribal languages. It will be useful for interactive learning for students, digital preservation of folklore and oral traditions, spreading awareness of government schemes, improving health communication, and enhancing digital literacy in tribal areas.
Currently, the beta version supports languages such as Santhali (Odisha), Bhili (Madhya Pradesh), Mundari (Jharkhand), and Gondi (Chhattisgarh). In the next phase, more languages like Kui and Garo will be added.
