David Beckham 'speaks' nine different languages in malaria awareness video
David Beckham has spoken out about malaria – appearing to share his message in an impressive nine different languages.
The 43-year-old sportsman has partnered with the Malaria No More launch campaign to spread awareness about the potentially fatal disease, which claimed 435,000 lives in 2017.
He is a founding member of the Malaria No More UK Leadership Council.
The campaign’s promotion video features Beckham talking to the camera about the worldwide impact of malaria.
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With the help of artificial intelligence “deepfake” voice synthesis technology, he appears to speak in nine different languages.
The technology makes Beckham appear multilingual, beginning his 55-second video message in English then transitioning to eight other languages: Spanish, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Kiswahili and Yoruba.
![David Beckham is working with the Malaria Must Die campaign. [Photo: PA Images]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/pbfsbAGKKWipl1kG_fkiZw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUyMw--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/5dd995514b2b09d04d423a2a16bd3c76)
Each language represents a part of the world which has been affected by malaria.
Beckham ends the film in English, saying: “Speak up and say ‘malaria must die’. One voice can be powerful, but all of our voices together? Then they will have to listen.”
He told Press Association: “I have been working with Malaria No More UK for over 10 years and to be a part of this campaign and to help share some of the real stories behind malaria is really important to me.”
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Dr Elvis Eze, whose voice features speaking Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria, said: “My life changed when I worked at a hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, and I saw the intolerable toll of malaria.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. I now work for the NHS in the UK and have seen how this is a global challenge.”
What is malaria?
Malaria is a tropical disease which is spread by mosquitoes. It can be caused by a single bite.
It is potentially fatal if it is not diagnosed early or is left untreated, according to the NHS.
Malaria symptoms usually appear between 7 and 18 days after infection – but can take up to a year to appear. They include a high temperature (38 degrees Celsius and above), vomiting, muscle pains and diarrhoea.
If you develop these symptoms after anything from weeks to a year from when you returning from travelling abroad, you should seek medical help.
Think you are suffering from malaria? Call NHS 111 or contact them online.
