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Thread ID: 113437	2010-10-20 02:26:00	Maori language dying - is it really a problem though?	wratterus (105)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1146339	2010-10-20 06:07:00	Well apparently the government (essentially us, really) can get legally screwed over for not protecting the native language. Was on stuff a few weeks ago I think. HAH they aren't native, they just ate the natives.	xyz823 (13649)
1146340	2010-10-20 06:40:00	It should be up to Maori to teach the language to their children .... problem is, the children aren't interested in learning the language. It wont make any difference how much money you throw at it ... it'll go down the gurgler like most other payouts Maori have received. Maori have been given billions over the years and this is just another way to try and get some more. Another Maori TV channel and Pakeha Te Reo teachers wont make any difference either. Not enough full blooded Maoris around to keep the race, let alone the language viable.	SP8's (9836)
1146341	2010-10-20 06:43:00	How about the iwi and hapu who have been paid millions of dollars in Treaty of Waitangi settlements put programmes in place to encourage their tamariki to learn their own language? On a side note, has anyone found the recent criticisms of the additions to the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill to ensure that holders of customary rights can't charge people money to use the beach "interesting", considering people like Hone Harawira and his cohorts were saying not that long ago that NZers had nothing to fear if Maori had ownership of the foreshore & seabed since they wouldn't be charging people to use it. If they weren't going to charge people money to visit the beach, then why are they worried about a law which states just that? It's precisely these sorts of comments which make me glad the last minute addition/clarification was put in.	somebody (208)
1146342	2010-10-20 06:56:00	Years ago I found the language to be quite pleasant to listen to but no longer. Have I changed or the language. I'm picking the language.	mikebartnz (21)
1146343	2010-10-20 07:05:00	I'm not racist and have nothing against maori's, but i'm sick and tired of the language forced down my throat at school. Luckily Maori is not a compulsary subject, but in Primary School, it was shoved my/our and throat so much, that i actually can't stand the language anymore. I'm happy with speaking english, its the only language i will speak, and i'm happy to speak english.	goodiesguy (15316)
1146344	2010-10-20 07:13:00	I'm not racist and have nothing against maori's, but i'm sick and tired of the language forced down my throat at school. Luckily Maori is not a compulsary subject, but in Primary School, it was shoved my/our and throat so much, that i actually can't stand the language anymore. I'm happy with speaking english, its the only language i will speak, and i'm happy to speak english. +1	xyz823 (13649)
1146345	2010-10-20 08:32:00	Been to the odd maori tangi (funeral) over the years, and the hosts often speak in maori, so I guess maori language is important for that, sort of in a sacred/traditional way. Probably the same for other races, e.g Israeli's, Arabian, Hindu, etc. Lot of NZ's would prefer to learn Japanese/French etc, and their culture for job/money prospects, yet probably would not even know the maori meaning/significance of their maori named localities, e.g. Pakuranga (not Pak - a - rang -a, as a maori chap told me once), Takapuna, Manukau, Rangiora, etc, but can't be helped I guess - why would they want to know? Probably survive (or re- revived somehow), but in a diminishing way, as the language might have it's place in traditional maori related events. But unlikely to survive/be relevant at a general national level, nor of real interest of many NZ's, and immigrants, as they too may well want to retain their language in NZ. Maybe learn it a little by choice, but not be immersed in it.	kahawai chaser (3545)
1146346	2010-10-20 09:08:00	Back in Indonesia my family lived just outside of Jakarta in Western Java whose native language, Sunda, was made compulsory until the end of primary school (or year 10, I can't remember) by the mayor of Western Java. The language was pretty much useless in almost all aspects, though it was (and still is) widespread it's not of an economic significance nor was it culturally significant because it's still widespread and far from extinction. All the Chinese parents weren't too happy their children had to spend some four to six hours a week (we had school on Saturdays too!) learning a useless language. The same sentiment were shared by Eastern, Central and Southern Javanese because their own mayors don't force their own native languages on their people. Growing up I never really liked learning Sunda language and I have very limited memory of it. My mother on the other hand grew up during President Suharto's reign, where he outlawed Chinese schools and Chinese language. Back in her days Sunda was also the primary language whereas Indonesian is secondary. Today I only know very few Sunda words and can understand little of the conversations held by my mother and her siblings. Only recently have they loosened the rules and now Sunda is no longer compulsory, I'm not sure if they have changed mayors or not, but whatever the case they have now realised the hours wasted teaching kids this language is better utilised by other things.	qazwsxokmijn (102)
1146347	2010-10-20 09:14:00	The reality is, even with daily use of Engrish as my only language, there is still a myriad of engrish words I don't know and will never master. If others are like me, then you could argue the Engrish language is in decline as well. sayonara English will simply change slowly but surely culling some words & stealing others in order to survive. Eventually the dominant languages will merge & there will be a global language with many local dialects	Greven (91)
1146348	2010-10-20 09:28:00	The only reason that the maori people blame the government for the decline in the maori tongue is because they need someone to blame, and of course it can't be a maori at fault, can it? As we are all aware, there are many different cultures living in NZ and I feel quite certain that most, if not all, teach their children their native tongue. They do so because they want their children to learn their own language. No one forces them to do so and they have no one else to blame but themselves if their children do not speak their own tongue. They do so because they are passionate about their own culture. So why is there not the same passion amongst the so called 'indigenous' people? It is because they don't care. The ones who do care are a very small minority but unfortunately they have very loud and persuasive voices, which is why a useless dead language is forced on our children at school. I was taught Latin at school. I was told it was a dead language, but there is a lot more use to Latin than there will ever be to maori. Learning Latin teaches you much about the roots of English - for those who are interested. Learning maori should be the same - for those who are interested. Legislating to keep the language alive is not working, it's just annoying the hell out of the majority who are just not interested. Let's dump it! A waste of time and money!:mad:	Roscoe (6288)
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