More than 300 million Snapchat users will be able to learn the Indigenous names of everyday items from Monday, simply by pointing their phone's camera at the object.
The popular mobile app has partnered with First Languages Australia, an organisation dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Indigenous tongues, to create the educational tool, which will instruct users in the names and pronunciation of around 170 animals and objects.
The translations are current available in four different languages: Wiradjuri, Wakka Wakka, Yawuru and Yugambeh.
Wakka Wakka woman and project officer at First Languages Australia Annalee Pope said the opportunity to reach potential students was an exciting one.
"This is a fantastic way to get our languages embedded into something that people are already using," she told NITV News.
By applying one of the four 'filters' (found by scanning a code or searching "Learn Yawuru", "Learn Yugambeh" etc within the app), users scan an object and a translation and pronunciation guide are superimposed over the image.
A chance to engage younger people with First Nations languages, the translations were provided by advocates already making a difference in the field.
By using the app to select and scan one of the codes, users can begin translating objects straight away. Source: Supplied: First Languages Australia
"We have a... program where we support and mentor young language champions," said Ms Pope.
"So we had four young people involved.
"They consulted with their Elders first to get permission to use their language. And then they they've done up their translations and the pronunciation for each of the words."
The list of translations is currently limited to objects that can be recognised by Snapchat's artificial intelligence. As the software's capabilities expand, Ms Pope says more words will be added.
"And then if that's the case, hopefully we can, best of all, add more languages," she said.
Ms Pope said the chance to collaborate with a global software company is an opportunity to help languages, the mission of her organisation.
"[It's] something that I think will really target the younger generation of our people and will help keep language alive... and make it possible for them to share and learn their language with their peers."
