Snapchat has announced it has partnered with First Languages Australia to launch a series of language learning Lenses that help raise awareness and educate young Aussies on Australia’s first languages and Indigenous culture.
The partnership is in celebration of International Mother Language Day which is on Monday, February 21.
The new Snapchat lenses use Augmented Reality and machine learning to identify different objects and display their name in four Indigenous languages:
• Wiradjuri (central New South Wales),
• Yugambeh (south-east Queensland),
• Wakka Wakka (central Queensland)
• Yawuru (Broome in Western Australia).
Over 170 objects across the four languages will be available at launch, providing Indigenous word translations for common day objects such as ‘ear’ (‘wudha’ in Wiradjuri), ‘spider’ (‘wanggarranggarra’ in Yawuru) and ‘hat’ (‘binka’ in Yugambeh).
Australia is home to more than 750 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, many of which are now endangered. The language learning Lenses look to support the efforts of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by helping introduce, promote and build support for our first languages across Australia.
First Languages Australia’s CEO, Beau Willaims, said, “It is so important that we continue to support and promote the languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We know millions of young Aussies use Snapchat everyday – so this is an incredible opportunity for them to experience our First Nations’ languages in a fun and interactive way on a platform that they love. This project will boost recognition of our languages globally and will support our grassroots programs and help to engage our young people.”
The Lenses are accessible globally via Snapchat from February 21, by searching “Learn Wiradjuri”, “Learn Yugambeh”, “Learn Wakka Wakka” or “Learn Yawuru”, or scanning the Snapcodes.
Snapchatters just have to point their cameras at an object to scan it, and the Lens automatically displays the object’s English and Indigenous language names in real time, along with an audible clip of the word to help with pronunciation. Snapchatters will also be able to swipe up to learn more about these languages from the First Languages Australia website.
Snap’s General Manager for APAC, Kathryn Carter, said, “We’re thrilled to collaborate with First Languages Australia, and hope these Lenses represent our small part in supporting Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a unique way. We believe the camera is a powerful tool for discovery and learning, and these lenses are such a great example of that. The history, culture and languages of our Indigenous people is rich, diverse and meaningful – it’s so important that we honour and share them with the next generation of young Australians.”