New software for speakers of Maori (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

New software for speakers of Maori

26.11.05
By Jon Stokes
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=5&ObjectID=10357064

The growing number of Maori language speakers will soon get a boost to
their computing needs with the launch of te reo versions of Microsoft
Windows and Office.

A Maori version of the world's leading computer operating system and
home and office software package will be launched at the World
Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education in Hamilton next week.

The enhancement, a development between the Maori Language Commission and
the software giant, will allow the download of a Maori language
interface which will convert existing Windows and Office versions to te
reo.

The Office version is available on Tuesday and the Windows software from
December 9.

The Language Interface Packs were developed as part of the Microsoft
Maori Linguistic Partnership Project, launched in April last year to
cater for the growing number of Maori language speakers in New Zealand.

About 130,000 adults speak Maori, with about 326,000 students enrolled
in Maori immersion or learning te reo.

The initiative is part of a global linguistic partnership project. Maori
added to other international indigenous languages incorporated into the
leading software packages including Ireland, Spain and France.