Indigenous Teacher Teaches ChatGPT the Tzotzil Language
In a groundbreaking experiment in Chiapas, Mexico, Andrés ta Chikinib, an Indigenous teacher, poet, and communicator, is teaching the Tzotzil language to the artificial intelligence, ChatGPT. This innovative project aims to preserve and promote the language of over 400,000 Tzotzil speakers in the digital age.
The Genesis of the Project
Andrés ta Chikinib, also known as “Andrés in oak,” initiated this project after struggling to find adequate teaching materials for his Tzotzil students. He decided to leverage ChatGPT as a tool to generate resources and, in the process, discovered its potential to learn and understand the complexities of the Tzotzil language.
Initially, the results were disappointing, with ChatGPT stumbling and mixing up information. However, Chikinib adjusted his approach, treating the AI like any other student, emphasizing memorization and conversation. Within three weeks, ChatGPT began forming its first sentences.
ChatGPT's Linguistic Progress
According to Andrés ta Chikinib, ChatGPT now speaks “like a child of three or four.” It has mastered the alphabet and personal pronouns, including the inclusive and exclusive pronouns unique to Tzotzil. The AI also understands basic grammatical rules, such as verb endings in 'el' and noun endings in 'il'.
One impressive aspect is ChatGPT's ability to refer to the language as "optike," the term used by Tzotzil speakers themselves. While it occasionally confuses Tzotzil with other languages like Yucatec Maya or Tseltal, its rapid progress continues to amaze its teacher.
Addressing Bias and Promoting Cultural Awareness
Andrés ta Chikinib is also using this experiment to address biases within the AI. He is teaching ChatGPT about sensitive terms related to the LGBTQ+ community and providing context to ensure it understands the potential for stigmatization in some areas.
Despite some criticism regarding teaching Tzotzil to a for-profit AI, Chikinib believes that the benefits outweigh the concerns. He sees ChatGPT as a tool to develop and promote the language, arguing that “it’s the language that wins.” He views this as a way to increase visibility for Tzotzil in a digital world.
Impact and Future Implications
An essay written by ChatGPT about its experience learning Tzotzil went viral on Andrés ta Chikinib's Instagram, showcasing the public's fascination with this project. Although materials created by ChatGPT are not yet used in his formal teaching, the AI has helped him generate scripts for his Facebook videos.
Andrés ta Chikinib acknowledges that ChatGPT has also enhanced his own understanding of the Tzotzil language. He explains, “As a Tzotzil teacher, it has helped me discover more about the language because, sometimes, humans fail to understand the linguistic universe… ChatGPT tells me what they are called and puts them in order.” While the AI cannot directly teach others due to privacy restrictions, Chikinib plans to leverage it as a personal assistant.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Language | Tzotzil |
| Teacher | Andrés ta Chikinib |
| AI | ChatGPT |
| Location | Chiapas, Mexico |
| Goal | Language preservation and digital promotion |
