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Reviving Voices of the Past<br />
AI’s journey into ancient languages and culture<br />
BY CHRISTINA SALEM<br />
In a remarkable convergence of artificial<br />
intelligence (AI) and linguistic<br />
passion, the enigmatic beauty of ancient<br />
languages and cultural identities<br />
is emerging from the shadows. For one<br />
individual, this fusion is more than an<br />
academic pursuit; it’s a personal odyssey<br />
fueled by a deep desire to reconnect<br />
with his roots and amplify the<br />
voices of silenced cultures.<br />
Meet Matthew Nazari, a trailblazer<br />
whose journey through linguistics<br />
and technology has paved the way<br />
for AI’s transformative role in understanding<br />
ancient languages. From his<br />
upbringing in a household resonating<br />
with the sound of Assyrian, one of the<br />
world’s most ancient languages, to his<br />
endeavors at prestigious institutions,<br />
Nazari’s voyage has been one of rediscovery<br />
and empowerment.<br />
Nazari’s fascination with languages<br />
was ignited at home, where<br />
Assyrian was spoken around him. As<br />
he recalls, “I remember my uncles<br />
proclaiming that Assyrian was the oldest<br />
language, the language that Jesus<br />
spoke—the first language ever!” This<br />
assertion left an indelible mark on his<br />
young mind. Living in California exposed<br />
him to an array of languages,<br />
stirring an obsession to understand<br />
how languages shape identities.<br />
Arriving at Harvard to study computer<br />
science and linguistics, Nazari<br />
delved into learning coursework and<br />
research. The fusion of his linguistic<br />
heritage and technical expertise was<br />
inevitable. Yet, it wasn’t until he grappled<br />
with a recurring thought—how<br />
could he use his skills to contribute<br />
to the revival of Assyrian—that a new<br />
path emerged.<br />
Nazari’s journey soon transcended<br />
his personal quest. He envisioned leveraging<br />
AI to decipher, document,<br />
and understand ancient languages in<br />
ways that not only advanced linguistic<br />
research but also upheld the cultural<br />
tapestry they represent. Through AIpowered<br />
transcription platforms like<br />
Transkribus, Nazari witnessed scripts<br />
spring to life that had baffled generations.<br />
He shared, “These technologies<br />
are more than tools; they are vessels<br />
through which languages emerge from<br />
the depths of history.” As a comprehensive<br />
platform, Transkribus recognizes,<br />
transcribes, and can search<br />
historical documents from any time,<br />
place, or language.<br />
Integrating AI into the study of ancient<br />
languages presented challenges.<br />
Nazari confronted the task of creating<br />
training data for AI models. This<br />
choice involved orthographical representation—deciding<br />
how to transcribe<br />
the language. Here, the specter of colonialism<br />
loomed. The literary standard<br />
for Assyrian, developed by 19th-century<br />
British and American missionaries,<br />
did not capture the essence of the spoken<br />
language.<br />
With Nazari’s connection to the Assyrian<br />
identity, he sought to project the<br />
unbiased originality of the language<br />
he grew up with. Nazari’s conviction<br />
lay in authentic language documentation<br />
that resonated with the hearts of<br />
Assyrian speakers.<br />
He encountered hurdles in acquiring<br />
unbiased data. An old newspaper<br />
in the literary standard turned out to<br />
be the work of a British author, not an<br />
Assyrian. Nazari’s focus shifted to linguistic<br />
documentation—transcribed<br />
folktales and historical accounts that<br />
truly reflected the language. Here, AI<br />
speech recognition proved invaluable,<br />
speeding up a process that traditionally<br />
demanded considerable time and<br />
expertise.<br />
Nazari’s journey has led him to<br />
26 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> <strong>2023</strong>
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