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Thread ID: 145574 2017-12-07 00:27:00 Don Brash says "Te Reo use is pointless." Roscoe (6288) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1443047 2017-12-07 04:25:00 You're so predictable B.M. :)

Indeed, I like to make it clear where I stand on matters. :) 		B.M. (505)
1443048 2017-12-07 04:33:00 I think good on anybody for learning a different language. In the context of hearing it on the radio he could just change the channel or mute? I can't see how a few lines out of the day truly bothers anybody?

I have no objection to anybody learning any language they like.

If learning Swahili spins their wheels fine. They would have more people to communicate with than learning Maori.

Put another way, I have no objection to anyone eating cauliflower, just don’t try and stuff it down my throat. :) 		B.M. (505)
1443049 2017-12-07 18:19:00 So what's the problem? You're not being forced to learn Maori.

Just because some news readers and such say some words in Maori does not mean anything....they continue to read the news in English....no-one says you must watch the maori TV news instead... 		pctek (84)
1443050 2017-12-07 20:32:00 So what's the problem? You're not being forced to learn Maori.

Just because some news readers and such say some words in Maori does not mean anything....they continue to read the news in English....no-one says you must watch the maori TV news instead...

I’m not worried about myself but I am worried about my Grandkids and Great-Grandkids.

I was rather hopeful they’d be taught something useful at school.

It seems not. :( 		B.M. (505)
1443051 2017-12-07 22:27:00 It is of no concern to me, I don't understand why it bothers people so much. I don't speak or understand Maori and I don't find myself ever disadvantaged by that or forced to learn it. So what if occasionally I don't understand something.
As for being useful, perhaps it's not the best choice in terms of communicating with the largest amount of people but it's been shown to improve your overall mental abilities if you learn a second language. www.telegraph.co.uk 		dugimodo (138)
1443052 2017-12-07 22:44:00 It is of no concern to me, I don't understand why it bothers people so much. I don't speak or understand Maori and I don't find myself ever disadvantaged by that or forced to learn it. So what if occasionally I don't understand something.
As for being useful, perhaps it's not the best choice in terms of communicating with the largest amount of people but it's been shown to improve your overall mental abilities if you learn a second language. www.telegraph.co.uk

I don't think the research that led to that conclusion included Maori. :eek:

If you read further the top 10 languages to learn to further job prospects, at least in the UK, but probably elsewhere in the western world too, are:

1. German
2. French
3. Spanish
4. Mandarin
5. Polish
6. Arabic
7. Cantonese
8. Russian
9. Japanese
10. Portuguese

Again no mention of Maori, yet there are ongoing calls for compulsory Maori in schools.

I liked the photo of the school classroom. No wandering around playing, no open plan nonsense, good solid teaching as it used to be :) 		Terry Porritt (14)
1443053 2017-12-07 23:10:00 I don't think the research that led to that conclusion included Maori. :eek:

If you read further the top 10 languages to learn to further job prospects, at least in the UK, but probably elsewhere in the western world too, are:

1. German
2. French
3. Spanish
4. Mandarin
5. Polish
6. Arabic
7. Cantonese
8. Russian
9. Japanese
10. Portuguese

Again no mention of Maori, yet there are ongoing calls for compulsory Maori in schools.

I liked the photo of the school classroom. No wandering around playing, no open plan nonsense, good solid teaching as it used to be :)

I thought UK people (the true loyal brits) don't like or feel uncomfortable with foreign languages, or perhaps don't like foreigners/cultures imposed in their centuries old England. Hence Brexit?

I wonder if Brash prefers Hindu or Asian languages to be the norm in our country, in the decades ahead. Since those people might dominate our country if immigration is not curtailed. Maori does sound fluid and smooth flowing when spoken at times; My Danish step father and a earlier German step-father I heard speak, their languages do sound quite harsh, and bit robotic.

Now some older ones (Kiwi's that is) here, might remember a popular maori song/tune - and popular Maori entertainers that sung them. Some Kiwi's (generational ones) I knew don't care less, they go running to learn Japanese or Chinese to get ahead. Maori language probably only unique in NZ, and perhaps remain so - only for those that want to learn it, or to retain it. 		kahawai chaser (3545)
1443054 2017-12-08 03:29:00 I don't think the research that led to that conclusion included Maori. :eek:

If you read further the top 10 languages to learn to further job prospects, at least in the UK, but probably elsewhere in the western world too, are:

1. German
2. French
3. Spanish
4. Mandarin
5. Polish
6. Arabic
7. Cantonese
8. Russian
9. Japanese
10. Portuguese

Again no mention of Maori, yet there are ongoing calls for compulsory Maori in schools.

I liked the photo of the school classroom. No wandering around playing, no open plan nonsense, good solid teaching as it used to be :)

Sure, I agree Maori doesn't really help in itself in terms of travel or job prospects (probably some exceptions but anyway) and may not be the optimal choice for a 2nd language. I was just trying to highlight that there may be some use regardless of the actual language learnt. Most of the benefits that article talks about have nothing to do with what the language is, to cherry pick a quote that summarises my point.

Physiological studies have found that speaking two or more languages is a great asset to the cognitive process. The brains of bilingual people operate differently than single language speakers, and these differences offer several mental benefits. 		dugimodo (138)
1443055 2017-12-08 03:32:00 And just for good measure, I’m sick of every News Broadcast having at least one video of a chronically obese Maori, covered in scribble, standing there pulling faces and poking out his tongue whilst slapping his naked backside.

As the late great A.B. (Banjo) Paterson wrote in his poem “The Maori Wool”:

The haka is a striking dance—the sort they don’t allow
In any place more civilized than Rooti-iti-au.

In fact here’s the whole poem for the politically correct to sweat over.

Enjoy. :devil

THE MAORI’S WOOL
A.B. (Banjo) Paterson


The Maoris are a mighty race—the finest ever known;
Before the missionaries came they worshipped wood and stone;
They went to war and fought like fiends, and when the war was done
They pacified their conquered foes by eating every one.
But now-a-days about the pahs in idleness they lurk,
Prepared to smoke or drink or talk— or anything but work.
The richest tribe in all the North in sheep and horse and cow,
Were those who led their simple lives at Rooti-iti-au.

‘Twas down to town at Wellington a noble Maori came,
A Rangatira of the best, Rerenga was his name—
(The word Rerenga means a “snag”—but until he was gone
This didn’t strike the folk he met—it struck them later on).
He stalked into the Bank they call the “Great Financial Hell”,
And told the Chief Financial Fiend the tribe had wool to sell.
The Bold Bank Manager looked grave—the price of wool was high.
He said, “We’ll lend you what you need—we’re not disposed to buy.

“You ship the wool to England, Chief!—You’ll find it’s good advice,
And meanwhile you can draw from us the local market price.”
The Chief he thanked him courteously and said he wished to state
In all the Rooti-iti tribe his mana would be great,
But still the tribe were simple folk, and did not understand
This strange finance that gave them cash without the wool in hand.
So off he started home again, with trouble on his brow,
To lay the case before the tribe at Rooti-iti-au.

They held a great korero in the Rooti-iti clan,
With speeches lasting half a day from every leading man.
They called themselves poetic names—”lost children in a wood”;
They said the Great Bank Manager was Kapai—extra good!
And so they sent Rerenga down, full-powered and well-equipped,
To draw as much as he could get, and let the wool be shipped;
And wedged into a “Cargo Tank”, full up from stern to bow,
A mighty clip of wool went Home from Rooti-iti-au.

It was the Bold Bank Manager who drew a heavy cheque;
Rerenga cashed it thoughtfully, then clasped him round the neck;
A hug from him was not at all a thing you’d call a lark—
You see he lived on mutton-birds and dried remains of shark—
But still it showed his gratitude; and, as he pouched the pelf,
“I’ll haka for you, sir,” he said, “in honour of yourself!”
The haka is a striking dance—the sort they don’t allow
In any place more civilized than Rooti-iti-au.

He “haka’d” most effectively—then, with an airy grace,
Rubbed noses with the Manager, and vanished into space.
But when the wool return came back, ah me, what sighs and groans!
For every bale of Maori wool was loaded up with stones!
Yes—thumping great New Zealand rocks among the wool they found;
On every rock the Bank had lent just eighteen-pence a pound.
And now the Bold Bank Manager, with trouble on his brow,
Is searching vainly for the chief from Rooti-iti-au.

:crying 		B.M. (505)
1443056 2017-12-08 04:08:00 I am with Brash, I do not want myself or my kids to learn a stone age language. prefect (6291)
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