Assessing eLangTech: the EU’s Multilingual Toolset

The European Union’s (EU) Digital Europe Programme has introduced language technology services that offer opportunities for eligible organizations for multilingual communication. AI-powered tools like eTranslation, WEB-T, and Speech Transcription that are part of this eLangTech suite have opened free access to multilingual technology services, are widely used by EU institutions, and have particular potential for European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These tools are designed for EU users, but they are often overlooked: there is a lack of awareness, and they are not included in public benchmarks or other comparisons. 

When the EU granted access to entities outside of the sphere of EU institutions, it showed confidence in the capabilities of its eLangTech stack’s capabilities. This marked a step beyond the “Hungarian orange” phenomenon. For those unfamiliar, it’s a lemon, described as “Slightly yellow, slightly sour, but at least it’s ours!” Let's examine who could benefit from these tools and how, particularly from the perspective of SMEs that comprise 99% of all European businesses. Language service providers (LSPs) may also find these tools beneficial.

The European Union has long championed multilingualism, insisting on the equal status of its 24 official languages. This policy reflects a cultural commitment and aims to provide EU citizens with access to information and services in their native languages. However, managing this linguistic diversity has been challenging and costly with traditional (human) language services, particularly for businesses and public institutions operating across borders. Recognizing this, the EU began investing in language technologies in the 1980s, paving the way for today's sophisticated AI-driven services.

Leave a Comment