New app teaches computers to 'speak' Scots Gaelic

Linguists and computer scientists at the University of Edinburgh gave Scots Gaelic a huge technological push recently, with the release of a new app that teaches computers to 'speak' the language.

The app helps computers understand Gaelic text, and can be used in a range of functions: including voice recognition, online translation, and grammar and spellchecks. There is also capacity within the device to assist people to understand and learn the language. 

Dr William Lamb of the University's School of Literature, Languages, and Cultures stated that while Scots Gaelic lags in comparison to many other languages in terms of the advancement in Corpus and Speech Technology over the past 10 years or so, this development will help bring the language forward - with a vital technological and intellectual push - into the 21st century. 

To read more about this story, head to: http://www.scotsman.com/news/new-app-teaches-computers-to-speak-scots-gaelic-1-4163020

Note: the 2011 census of Scotland showed that a total of 57,375 people (1.1% of the Scottish population aged over three years old) could speak Gaelic, a decline of 1,275 from 2001.