Will the Maori language survive? Even Latin with its great history and literature became a dead language after it lost its existential significance i.e. its usefulness for getting on in life.
In our bilingual nation one needs English in order to get on in life, not Maori. With perfect Maori but insufficient English one makes it very difficult for oneself.
Parekura Horomia, then Minister of Maori Affairs, stated in response to a letter of mine: 'Confidence and proficiency in one's first language contribute to self-esteem, a sense of identity, and achievement throughout life.”
In the 1950s some 30,000 Dutch people came to settle here, most of whom soon fitted in and became an asset to the country…
It was not confidence and proficiency in their first language, but their second language which contributed to their achievement.
Kees de Leeuw, Mt Maunganui.
1 comment
tax payer funded life support
Posted on 12-11-2012 12:12 | By Captain Sensible
Maori language is on tax payer funded life support. There comes a time when the switch should be flicked to 'off'. It may be an "official" language of NZ, but in name only. If maori want to teach and learn it, that's fine, but the long suffering tax payers are not getting value for money. If it survives...fine, if it dies, then fine as well. Other races manage to keep their languages alive in NZ without tax dollars, so Maori should do the same too. A long time ago, the wise older Maori realised the future for their descendants was to learn English as that was the language of the future. Even today, most maori don't even bother with maori language. Turn off the tax payer dollars and it, like all other languages, can live die on its own.
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