THE MAORI LANGUAGE
Sir-Can you do anything to stop the awful mutilation of the Maori language? One member of Parliament recently suggested that "Maori" be taught as a compulsory subject in our State schools, One may retort that members of Parliament in "Noozillan’ be taught English. However, I think that all broadcasters — particularly sporting broadcasters -- should be made to pass some test in the correct pronunciation of Maori words. The follewing story speaks for itself. Some years ago, the British Government was to hand over a new cruiser to the New Zealand Navy, The question arose as to her name. Someone suggested "Kupe," We had our Hoods, Drakes, Nelsons-why not call the New Zealand warship after old Kupe, who thrashed round the Pacific centuries before Drake and his merry men knew it existed, Well, why not? This is why not, It was pointed out that although there had been compulsory education in New Zealand for some 80 years, the net result was that if there was a wrong way of pronouncing a Maori word the enlightened New Zealand public would find it out, and our sombre fighting ship would be called "The Kewpie." My eternal thanks to the gentleman who averted that naval disaster.
IKA
PIRAU |
(Wellington),
(We sympathise with our correspondent, but must tell him that the NBS has broadcast — talks on the pronunciation of Maori.a
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 220, 10 September 1943, Page 3
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227THE MAORI LANGUAGE New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 220, 10 September 1943, Page 3
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