For those who speak a language, translation tools aren't always necessary. However, translation tools can be handy when learning a language, be it Maori or English.
Learning a language such as Te Reo Maori is not just a linguistic endeavour but a crucial aspect of preserving Maori culture. For the communities that speak it, Te Reo Maori is a vital part of their identity. After all, languages are not just a means of communication, but also a repository of cultural knowledge and traditions. When a language dies, a significant part of the culture it belonged to is lost forever. Consider exploring te reo Maori courses for a structured approach to learning.
Fortunately, there are plenty of online translation tools that are compatible with Maori. That means the tech companies that create these tools also record and preserve aspects of Te Reo Maori.
Here, we'll examine these online translation tools and the ones you should consider using for translating between Maori and English or vice versa.
Using Online Translation Tools
Understanding language is far more complex than you might think. Humans are incredible at it, but machines are not so good at it.
Recent advances in AI have made machines much more adept at understanding the languages we speak and interacting with us in the same way we interact with one another.
Online translation tools can be incredibly effective resources, but you must first understand how they work and their strengths and weaknesses before you can properly use them and combine them with other resources like Maori audio and podcasts.
Remember that online translation tools are simply that and, much like AI, can make mistakes and provide inaccurate information.
You should also be aware that they aren't a replacement for learning a language. Learning a language is a better way to accurately translate between two or more languages and far more rewarding for anyone embarking on a language-learning journey.
Microsoft Translator
Microsoft Translator supports many different languages, but one of the most important things we should recognise is Microsoft's commitment to Te Reo Maori. Microsoft has worked with the Maori Language Commission, known in the language as Te Taura Whiri I te Reo Māori.
The organisation's goal is to ensure that Te Reo Maori remains a living language spoken in homes, schools, and communities across New Zealand.
The Maori language functionality is part of Microsoft Translator and various add-ons and related solutions such as Microsoft Office, Translator for Bing, and the Azure Cognitive Services Translator API.
Microsoft Translator can translate between English and Maori and Maori and other languages. You can use it to translate conversations, menus, street signs, and websites.
Microsoft Translator is also incredibly useful in many different educational settings. Students, parents, and teachers can use it, especially in situations with Maori and English speakers.
Microsoft's various translation tools are available on Windows, iOS, Android, and the web, making them accessible.
The Pros of Microsoft Translator
Just remember that, like all of the solutions we'll cover today, Microsoft Translator has pros and cons.
The many languages offered are certainly an advantage, even though we're only focusing on English and Maori today.
Like others, it's also helpful that this app offers real-time translation for conversation and cross-platform solutions.
The main bonus is its integration with other Microsoft products and services and the fact that it offers speech and text translation, which renders it very accessible.
The Cons of Microsoft Translator
Like many translation solutions, Microsoft Translator needs help when given complex or nuanced phrases, especially when translating between largely unrelated languages like English and Maori.
As the Maori language is less widely spoken than some of the other languages offered by Microsoft Translator, the quality of translations in and out of Maori tends to be lower than in some other languages, despite Microsoft's efforts and ongoing commitment to Maori language support.
Google Translate
Google Translate is probably the most popular or at least the most used online translation tool.
Google Translate has long supported Te Reo Maori, one of over 100 languages supported by Google Translate and related products and services. Google Translate is available through the Google page and integrated into many of Google's apps.
For example, smartphone users can use camera functionality with Google Translate to translate Te Reo words using Google Lens. However, given that in most official capacities, official signs and other announcements appear in both English and Te Reo Maori, you can translate these yourself simply through context.
Google Translate can also translate written and spoken Maori and English, which is helpful in situations with English and Maori speakers or conversations or communications in text format, such as emails, messages, etc.
Google Translate uses Neural Machine Translation (NMT) technology for its translations, and according to Google, this has helped reduce mistakes by between 55 and 85% across several language combinations, with improvements coming constantly.
The Pros of Google Translate
Google Translate offers many of the same advantages as Microsoft Translator. After all, Google Translate supports many languages and provides instant translations for text, speech, and real-world examples.
Google Translate also offers offline functionality, allowing users to download language packs for English and Maori. This means you can still translate when you don't have an internet connection.
The Cons of Google Translate
Even with NMT technology, Google Translate (or any other translation tool) could be better. Not only can It make errors, but it may even produce translations with limited cultural sensitivity.
While the offline functionality is a bonus, you still need to be connected to the internet to enjoy most of Google Translate's perks.
Drops
Drops isn't technically a translation tool but a language-learning app that can help you learn Te Reo Maori.
Drops focuses on using visual mnemonics, a unique approach that teaches users languages through visual associations. These are not just random images, but carefully selected visuals that help create strong memory associations with the words being learned. Language-learning sessions in Drops are intentionally short, with sessions rarely extending beyond 5 minutes, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
Drops supports several languages and the Maori support includes over 100 curated words. Instead of using synthesised Maori speech like Microsoft Translate and Google Translator, Drops features authentic Maori-language voiceovers by Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, a respected Maori broadcaster. This adds a level of authenticity to the learning experience. Drops is available on both iOS and Android.
Drops is available on both iOS and Android. For the convenience of studying at your own pace, you might also consider te reo Māori courses online.
The Pros of Drops
Drops is a fun and engaging way to learn a language, which is usually the best way to learn any language.
While we aren't suggesting that 5-minutes a day will make you fluent in Te Reo Maori, it's better than not studying Maori at all. If you have a busy schedule, Drops should easily fit into it.
The fact that Drops uses visual aids rather than simply teaching Maori as a translation of English makes learners retain vocabulary better.
The Cons of Drops
You may have already figured out the major downside to Drops: It only focuses on vocabulary. However, as a vocabulary-builder, the app is very good.
However, users who want to learn how to speak and use Te Reo Maori will likely need to complement what they learn through Drops by using other apps or solutions or studying in a Maori class or with a Maori tutor.
Kupu
Kupu is another mobile app designed to help people learn about Te Maori by recognising images.
This app was developed in collaboration between Spark, AUT (Auckland University of Technology), Google, and Colenso BBDO.
Kupu uses Google's Cloud Vision technology, powered by AI, to recognise objects in photos. When users take pictures of objects in the app, Kupu identifies them and provides the Te Reo Maori word for them.
This is a different way to learn a language, and many of us learn our mother tongues as children by recognising objects.
The Pros of Kupu
Kupu makes learning Te Reo Maori far more interactive than many other language-learning apps.
It's also very convenient and accessible. Kupu is available on iOS and Android, so anyone with a smartphone can use it.
The best thing about Kupu is that, unlike other language-learning solutions that require a subscription or offer a limited "freemium" version, the app is free to use.
The Cons of Kupu
There are some downsides to Kupu, though. This app only focuses on object recognition. Like Drops focuses on just vocabulary, Kupu doesn't teach grammar or other aspects of Te Reo Maori.
This means that, like any of these tools, you must use Kupu alongside other resources like Maori websites to learn how to speak Maori.
One of the best ways to learn Maori is with a private tutor. Luckily for you, there are plenty on the Superprof website. You might also benefit from te reo courses to further your studies.
Many even offer the first session for free so you can always try a few tutors before choosing the one that's right for you and how you like to learn.
Just search for “Maori” on the Superprof website today!
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