This special supplement issue of Alter Native entitled 'Ngaahi Lea 'a e Kakai Pasifiki: Endangered Pacific Languages and Cultures' examines the issues facing Pasifika peoples, the indigenous peoples of the Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian islands. Authors representing cultures across the Pacific examine educational and social strategies to preserve the mother tongue both at home and abroad, with an emphasis on education in New Zealand, home to the world's largest Polynesian city of Auckland, where Samoan is the second most spoken language following English.
This issue also features commentaries based on talanoa, a concept of collaborative discussion shared in many cultures across the islands. For the first time in publication, this edition includes talanoa in the original languages of the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Niue.
Frequency:
1 volume / 3 issues per year
In this Issue:
Article
Author:
Meaola Amituanai-Toloa
There is evidence to suggest that the different languages of the Pasifika people in New Zealand are declining (Taumoefolau, Bell & Stark, 2003). This decline particularly in Manukau South Auckland, New Zealand, is a challenge. There are two sides to the challenge. The first, involves the interrelationship between language and culture. The other is a consequence of th
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Article
Author:
Judy Taligalu McFall-McCaffery
This paper examines the health of the four largest Pasifika Languages in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ). It uses perspectives and interpretations from the researchers and writers who are at the same time, parents and grandparents of Pasifika children of Tongan, Samoan, and Cook Islands ancestry.
Published in:
Article
There is evidence to suggest that the different languages of the Pasifika people in New Zealand are declining (Taumoefolau, Bell & Stark, 2003). This decline particularly in Manukau South Auckland, New Zealand, is a challenge. There are two sides to the challenge. The first, involves the interrelationship between language and culture. The other is a consequence of th
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Article
Pacific languages face becoming extinct unless efforts are made to retain them. Two recommendations are made in this paper. First, incorporate Pacific languages and its knowledge into research and teaching at tertiary level education. Second, create or adopt an auxiliary universal language.
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Article
Author:
Tagaloatele Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop
Pacific females are achieving significantly better than males at secondary through to tertiary level study. This paper argues the need to review educational outcomes through a Pacific gender lens to identity how cultural expectations might influence the school experience today. The concept of a Samoan gender lens is explored and applied. Findings are that Samoan males and female
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Article
Author:
Upokaina Herrmann, Enoa Raea
Author:
Elika Terangi, Danielle Cochrane,
Author:
Engia Pate, Terangi Elika
Te Ipukarea is symbolic of who we are as a people of the Cook Islands, firmly rooted and grounded in our belief systems, epistemologies, traditions and customs, culture and language. In the cosmology of today’s fast and changing world it is imperative that we stand tall in our pride; in our knowledge and wisdom (Tu Rangatira) of who we are; individually, and most importantly, as a c
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Article
Author:
Rosa Kalauni, Feofanaki Pocock, Pennie Otto,
Author:
Tina O'Halloran, Betty Lafu, Lima Drysdale,
Author:
Halo Asekona, Koloti Peika, Misiane Viliko
In the commentary is a discussion of ideas and possible solutions by the Vagahau Niue Talanoa Group. Our discussion pertains to the struggle against (Vagahau Niue) language and cultural loss in Aotearoa New Zealand. We talked critically about ideas that will revive and maintain Vagahau Niue in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Talanoa group are familiar with the knowledge and understandi
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Article
Author:
Papaliitele Moeimanono Fouvaa, Galumalemana Hunkin et al.
The decline of the Samoan language that is spoken by Samoan people in New Zealand is ringing alarm bells for the Samoan community. It is a serious issue and a challenge that is now facing the Samoan people.
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Article
Author:
Linitā Manu‘atu et al.
Author:
Luhama ‘Ofeina ‘e he Langi Fale, Talita Kiumi Malupo et al.
In this commentary, the aim is to address in the Tongan language, the challenges of language and cultural loss by Tongan people in Aotearoa New Zealand and what Tongan people are doing about the imposition. The comments, ideas and perspectives that are advanced here are premised on the assumption that the Tongan language and culture is knowledge and wisdom different from the philosophy of
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