What is Correct Maori Pronunciation?

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 15, 18 October 1935, Page 53

What is Correct Maori Pronunciation?

To the Editor. ~ Sir,-'The list of Maori vowel pronunciations supplied by "A Humble -Pakeha" gives, as he says, approximate proiineis: tions of Maori vowel soutids, but-it is ai. fotttinate that one who sets out to enlighten an authority such as Mr. Bird should stipply a list that gives only half the vowel sounds, A.more complete list js as follows :- The written-form "a" represents two different vowél values, aS pronounced in the first (short) and second (long) éyllables respéetively of the pakeha.- word "papa." Similarly "e" represents either the vowel sound as in the word "send" cr as in "fete.’? The sound of "i" is either long as in "neat" ot "machine," or short as in "hits? The form "o" is pronunced either as, in- "obey". or as in "pole," and "uy" either as in "put," or as in "tuby" or "boot." , a "A Humble Pakeha" is thus wrong in thinking that. it is incorrect to. pronounce Maori "e" as the vowel sound in "hay." It may be quite correct, ag in the .adjective "pena" (meaning "like that"), On the other hand it would be incorrect to pronounce the "e"-of the verb "pend" (take care of, tend) in that way, this "e" being short as in "send" or "pet." No pakeha is. likely to pronounce Maori correetly simply because he has been told the correct vowel sounds. It takes more schooling ,to teach correct English: pronuneiation to English people and. even with much schooling many never attain a really good standard. I should. be surprised to find that there was even one competent Maori scholar, whether ef Maori or pakeha blood, who did -not. accept the pronunciations of the Maori vowels as given.in "The Dictionary of the Maori Language". (fifth edition, Government Printer, 1921), or in "First Lessons jn Maori" (seventh edition, 1923), both edited by Bishop Hetbert-W. Williams, M.A. A refefetice to those volumes would have enabled "A Humble Pakeha" to make his message of enlightenment a. Jittle more complete and consequently a little less misleading -I am, ete,,.-

RALPH H.

WARD