22 July 2008

 

Media Release

Google Maori goes live  

 

 

Google Maori goes live to the world tomorrow. The Maori interface of Google, the world’s largest online search engine, is being launched at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Rotorua.

Last year Potaua and Nikolasa Biasiny-Tule of www.TangataWhenua.com requested assistance to complete the translation of Google into te reo Maori. They were overwhelmed with offers of help, and media enquiries from national and international media.

A team of dedicated volunteers was formed from Aotearoa to New York, including a team of people who translated more than 8,750 words which enables anyone to navigate the Google interface in te reo Maori. All the words, messages, buttons and advanced search fields are now in te reo Maori.

“Digital technology is a vital means of transmitting te reo Maori, matauranga Maori, strengthening Maori identity, expressing a Maori world view and communicating with the world”, says Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori (the Maori Language Commission).

“A living language is an evolving language, and Google Maori is an ideal way to make te reo Maori available in an ever increasing digital environment. It enables learners to increase their understanding of te reo Maori by using the Google Maori Language Tool. Fluent and native speakers are able to search and access online content and connections in te reo Maori”, says Huhana Rokx.

The launch of Google Maori follows two days after Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori’s launched the largest online monolingual dictionary “He Pataka Kupu” available on www.koreromaori.co.nz.

Ends

Contact:
Nicky Cockburn Birch
021 475 782
nicky@tetaurawhiri.govt.nz  
www.koreromaori.co.nz