Speech at TEDx will inspire people into Te Reo

Inspiring educator and entrepreneur Sophie Tauwehe Tamati is speaking at TEDxAuckland 2013 this Saturday August 3.

The University of Auckland senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education’s School of Te Puna Wānanga will talk about her passion for Te Reo and how she conceived the concept that underpins the Hika app technology.

Launched in July 2012, the fun and engaging Hika Lite language learning app for iOS and Android devices, that translates cultural phrases (kīanga) and songs (waiata) from English into te reo Māori, has more than 7,000 logical combinations. Launched on 28 February this year at the Faculty of Education in the School of Te Puna Wānanga, the Hika Explorer app, which is designed for the education sector, has over 50,000 logical combinations.

Sophie intends to use her TEDx speech to promote her passion for Te Reo to encourage all New Zealanders to use the language.

“I will be speaking about the language that is ours – all New Zealanders. Hika makes te reo Māori accessible for most people. It personalises the language and in doing that it reduces the fear and distress that often comes in the learning of another language. It removes those barriers.”

Sophie credits the success of the Hika technology to the leadership of Greg Miller, the Hika Group Chairman along with the hard work and dedication of the Hika Group families throughout the years it has taken to develop the technology.

There are now further ambitions for Hika to grow and become even more popular.

“Imagine Hika in 200 languages.”

Tickets for TEDxAuckland start at $70 and can be purchased at theedge.co.nz. A full rundown of speakers is at tedxauckland.com

ends

© Scoop Media