Reviving Endangered Languages: Exploring AI Technologies for the Preservation of Tanzania's Hehe Language

Our focus is on the revival of Indigenous and endangered languages, with a special emphasis on Tanzania's Hehe language. The Hehe language is spoken by the Hehe tribe in Tanzania. Approximately 750,000 people consider themselves as Hehe, but the number of people who can accurately speak the language is less. This is because of the declining number of fluent speakers and the restricted inter-generational transmission, this language is presently considered endangered. Therefore, it is essential to investigate cutting-edge strategies, such as AI-based technologies, to support its preservation and renewal. Natural language processing methods and language models that are adapted to the distinctive linguistic traits and cultural quirks of the Hehe language can be created. The revival of Indigenous and endangered languages, such as Tanzania's Hehe language, offers significant promise for the use of AI-based tools and technology.