Utkal Diwas: Google Service Still Not Offered In Odia, Know Why

Odia is one of the most notable Indian languages that has not been recognised by the search engine giant Google. On Utkal Diwas, we ponder over the probable reasons for the regional deprivation.

When one opens the home page of Google, nine languages can be seen written under the search box with the caption; “Google offered in...” and one does not find ‘Odia’ among the list of regional languages.

Though on Feb 28, 2020, Google added Odia translation feature in its platform, it is still not a “supported language” on the search engine giant’s platform.

To know the apparent effect it has on Odia digital content creators, odishatv.in spoke to Debapriya Das, a Digital Marketing expert.

“Google enjoys virtual monopoly in the digital ecosystem and the people who are de-motivated and affected by this are small and medium content creators who are trying to preserve and promote Odia language. Google’s non-recognition of the Odia language may mean a significant loss for Odia-based content creators who are planning to cater to regional readers or users,” Das lamented.

Just to put things into perspective, Odisha achieved statehood on the basis of its linguistic identity in 1936. Odia is one of the 22 official languages recognized by the Government of India, the official language of the state of Odisha and is the second official language of the state of Jharkhand. Odia is the primary language of an estimated 45 million speakers that roughly translates to 3.2 percent of the population of India. In recognition of its unique linguistic standing and an uninterrupted use for over 2000 years, Odia language became the sixth language to be conferred ‘classical language’ status by the Government of India in 2014.

On the contrary, tech expert Saroj Nayak who deals with digital content and its marketing said, “The recognition of the language and tradition is all fine. However, what Odia lacks is a sizable online content volume. Why would anyone need or use google translate if there is little to translate in the first place. Most online Odia newspapers are merely scanned copies. Unless there is a large chunk of odia literature in unicode, it would be impossible for the search engines to locate them.”

He added, “Therefore, there is little reason for Google to invest in such a language, despite its huge offline user base and a rich linguistic history,” Nayak added.

Whatever be the reason may be, the only possible way the present status quo can be changed is by creating more and more online platforms/portals in Odia in order to populate the internet with Odia content. Thereafter, the search engine giant would be forced to offer its service in Odia, he reasoned.

Groups involved in maintaining the language should also take steps to increase the online Odia readership base significantly.