WhatsApp translator for the Maldives: Dhivehi and English
Dhivehi is written right to left in its own script, Thaana, yet on phones many people type it in Latin letters. A WhatsApp translator for the Maldives has to handle both, and also English from resorts and guests from many countries.
Thaana or Latin letters
Dhivehi in Thaana runs right to left. Latin-letter Dhivehi has no fixed spelling, so the same word can appear in several forms. oKiKo reads each message's language separately and does not require a fixed spelling.
Resorts, guesthouses and dive boats
Staff answer guests in English and sometimes in Italian, German, Russian or Chinese. Translate the enquiry, write a short reply and check the preview for dates and transfer times.
Friday and Saturday
The weekend falls on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday a working day. A message on Friday morning may be answered at the end of the day. Open with "assalaamu alaikum" to a person you do not know.
Languages
Dhivehi is official and English is widely used. Communities from Bangladesh and India add Bengali and Hindi. Guests often write in Italian, German, Russian, Chinese and Arabic.
FAQ
- How do I handle right-to-left Thaana?
- Do not copy it into a word processor. Translate the message in the chat instead.
- Can it handle English mixed into Dhivehi?
- It detects the language of each message and takes chat slang into account.
- Does the app work without a store?
- Yes, it is installed from the website.
WhatsApp, translated with oKiKo
oKiKo translates the WhatsApp messages you receive into your language, and sends your replies in your contact's language, with a preview before anything goes out. The original is always one tap away. It is free to start, and it is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta.