The Japanese and Maori Languages.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 192, 13 January 1905, Page 2

The Japanese and Maori Languages.

While jin Invercargill, the Japanese interpreter accompanying Messni Fitzgerald Bros stated that, during’ his brief stay in the Colony, he had closely studied the characteristics oil the Maori people. Readers will.be interested to know that the resein of the Japanese and Maori languages is very striking. Our visitor han compiled a list of words which have the same spelling, pronunciation, and meaning, and written to the Japanese press on the subject, suggesting that a professor should be sent to invest!' gate the matter. Many people are unaware that the Japanese have u tradition similar to the Maori one—viz., that their ancestors many centuries ago dwelt rtf a distant country or group of islands and emigrated in canoes. Competent authorities are agreed that the forefathers of the Maoris came from the Polynesian group. The interpreter is confident that the J a panes*, and the Maoris come of the same ratty, and in addition to pointing out that there is only a slight difference ifi the spelling of the Japanese name for the legendary place known to the Maoris as Hawaiki, states that many words forming pert of ancient language ato .retained by both races.