Phone app seeks ''untranslatable'' non-English words

64 ways of being

Source: supplied/RMIT

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A team of programmers from RMIT university are looking for words that are hard to translate in English. 64 of these words will become part of an augmented reality game called ''64 Ways of Being''.


64 Ways of Being is a smartphone app, currently in development, that seeks to use augmented reality technology to turn Melbourne into a ''playground''. Through their phones, the users will be able to wander the streets of the city and discover a new world through their phone cameras.
64 ways of being test
Source: supplied/RMIT

What is augmented reality?

The term refers to a technology that uses devices such as computers and smartphones to ''augment'' the real world. Dr Troy Innocent is the project lead for the game. 

''You can be led to a laneway, a public square or a park, and then asked to use your phone's camera to look at the environment around you, and as you do, creatures, graphics or objects appear on your phone screen'' he said. 
64 ways of being test
The game transforms Melbourne into a playground Source: supplied/RMIT
''Translation not found''

The app developers are seeking words that are hard to translate in English. Dr Innocent gives the example of a Greek word the team got: ''Eleutheromania'' which means the overwhelming zeal for freedom. 

To this end, they have created an online , where people can submit their words. The words are vital, because one of the app's goals is to highlight Melbourne's cultural and linguistic diversity. From those submitted, 64 words will make their way to the game, and the players will have the ability to discover them at various locations around Melbourne. 

The deadline for people to submit their words is 31st of March.  

Press Play to hear more in English. 
64 ways of being test
Source: supplied/RMIT

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