In Russia, AI Service Gives Voice to the Ancient Yakut Epic Olonkho
A text-to-speech tool converts Yakut-language texts into high-quality audio.
The National Library of Yakutia has launched a cultural and technology project called Istin, aimed at preserving and developing the Yakut language. At the core of the initiative is an innovative text-to-speech (TTS) tool that converts texts in Yakut into high-quality audio. The regional government’s press service told IT-Russia about the project.
The First Voice Belongs to the Republic’s Leader
Istin is being used to voice the ancient Yakut epic Olonkho, which holds a central place in local folklore. The term “olonkho” refers both to the epic tradition as a whole and to individual epic narratives.
The first voice of the project belongs to Aisen Nikolaev, head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). He recorded a fragment of an olonkho composed by his grandfather, the renowned folk storyteller Andrey Titovich Titarov, titled Khardaachchy Bergen. The work, recorded in 1981, is preserved in the archives of the regional radio committee, while the book itself is available through a digital library.
Nikolaev noted the library is actively embracing modern technologies. At its Center for the Digitization of Linguistic and Cultural Heritage, multiple AI-based solutions are already in use, ranging from collection cataloging to reader services. The library also works closely with Yandex, a partnership that has helped improve Yakut-to-Russian machine translation. The company’s services can recognize spoken Yakut, convert speech into text, and generate audio versions of materials.
AI in Library Workflows
The National Library of Yakutia is among the first in Russia to integrate artificial intelligence into real-world library processes. It has been entrusted with the role of operator for a nationwide AI-solutions platform for libraries. The project has already received strong recognition from experts.
Earlier, IT-Russia reported that Yandex Translate had added the Abkhaz language. The Russian service regularly introduces national languages as part of efforts to support language learning and preserve cultural traditions.
