Maori language faces extinction – historian

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Maori language faces extinction – historian

3News NZ

Paul Moon says there is not a critical mass of people speaking Te Reo

Paul Moon says there is not a critical mass of people speaking Te Reo

The Maori language risks becoming extinct, according to one historian.

Paul Moon says there is not a critical mass of people in New Zealand speaking Te Reo and that further work needs to be done to ensure its survival.

He says the drive to save it will need to come from the people, not the Government.

Watch the video for Firstline’s interview with Paul Moon

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Comments

23/10/2012 2:48:12 p.m.

Ariana wrote:

maori language is only becoming exyincy because it was not permitted according to pakeha teachers back in the late 1800's 1700's maori was very fluent until those days i personally don't think that in those days was not nessecary for now many OTHER language as well as kura kaupapa maori are now indangered!!!! GRRR!

28/07/2012 11:17:49 p.m.

Huang wrote:

Maori could use their billions from treaty claims to promote the maori language, and prevent it from extinction. They have undisputed ownership of the maori language, and they are entitled to sell rights to the language.

27/07/2012 6:34:04 p.m.

Huang wrote:

New Zealand is better off with one less language. It cost the taxpayer, and it curtails the interlectual development of its users. It hangs like an albatross over the whole country. It is a baggage that the country don't need.

27/07/2012 5:40:55 p.m.

ivan wrote:

And in the late 1800s and early 1900s historians believed that Maoris themselves would be extinct. I wouldnt believe this. We get told every ten years that the language is dying when its not its just a ploy to get more funding.

27/07/2012 5:30:08 p.m.

2bob wrote:

All you can see is someone else to blame for your failure, in the rear-view mirror. Throw it out the window and put your foot down, go for it.. you!! now!! will determine your future. The worst thing you can give your kids is the chip on YOUR shoulder...

27/07/2012 3:13:48 p.m.

David wrote:

Extinction of the Maori language is inevitable. Let it go!

27/07/2012 2:30:01 p.m.

TI HEI wrote:

@GREG. That's right, it's all about the money, isn't it? Who cares about anything, unless it's likely to increase our wages. @ERM... Irrelevant? Don't be so ignorant. Research shows children who are bilingual are far more academically able than those who are not. Why are there so many ignorant people in New Zealand?

27/07/2012 1:57:28 p.m.

Moera wrote:

Language whether it is Maori, English, Chinese, French etc, etc, is a choice people choose to want to learn because to these individuals it's an important skill. GREG...do you really think it doesn't impact on wages? I suggest you open your eyes to the tourism sector, you may learn something. ERM...Do you voice your thoughts on behalf of Maaoridom in general or on behalf of your own ignorance? ERM & GREG pull your heads out of your backsides and get a clue. It's your ignorant views and people who share your views why the maaori language won't survive. The govt has tried in the past to minimise maaori learning and speaking the language from home, to early childhood, to tertiary, to public speech. Just because 'you think' the maaori language doesn't have merit doesn't make it true. In order to know where your going, you have to know where you've been. Looking to the past informs a maaori person of their 'identity' and their 'potential' to be a productive person within a society. Maybe it's this aspect the 'Pakeha' are intimidated by? An aspect of NZ life that they can't understand, let alone comprehend.

27/07/2012 12:41:36 p.m.

Greg wrote:

It doesnt mmake any difference on the wages if we speak it or not, thats the bottom line.

27/07/2012 10:20:42 a.m.

Erm... wrote:

Who cares, it's an irrelevance. Maori children will do better to avoid it, it will just hold them back. Maoridom needs to look outward, not inwards and backwards.