Shakespeare sonnet in Maori

Shall I compare thee to a rangi raumati? Shakespeare's sonnet 18 has been translated into Maori and is to be presented to the Globe Theatre in London.

The sonnet which starts by comparing a beautiful woman to a summer's day has been translated by Te Haumihiata Mason and copied in calligraphy on to soft flax paper which features a green fern frond in the background.

It will be unveiled at the Globe next Wednesday as part of the theatre's Compleate Workes 2009 which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare's sonnets.

Maori Language Commission chief executive Huhana Rokx said the translation honoured Shakespeare and "serves to remind us of the singular commonality that binds us all - that the language of love transcends all communication barriers".

Ms Mason said she researched classical Maori for the translation and found similar uses of metaphor.

"Our great Maori orators, just like Shakespeare, were masters at creating concise turns of phrases that were loaded with imagery and meaning and as such there are many historic love stories to reference relevant language from," she said.

"So it was a pleasure to rediscover these stories again and find the most appropriate language to capture the same sentiment that Shakespeare conveys within the sonnet."

- NZPA