Maori Language

Maori Language
Maori is the official language of New Zealand. It is spoken by about 157, 000 people. Most of these people speak Maori as a second language and about 4% of those people reside in New Zealand. However, there are about 9% of Maori speakers who are fluent and native in the language.
It is said that Maori is closely related to the language spoken in the Cook Islands, which is known as Rarotonga, Tahitian, and other Polynesian languages spoken in Eastern Polynesia. Aside from languages that are related to Maori, there are several different dialects. Three major dialect divisions are Eastern North Island, Western North Island, and South Island Maori. However, there are no native speakers of South Island Maori.
Over time, the Maori language has changed and developed to the more modern style that it is today. English and the development of society and technology have influenced this change. Linguists believe that the younger generations of Maori speakers show great influence from English in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and sentence structure.
Missionaries began translating the Bible to Maori in the year 1814. The Bible was known as the Paipera Tapu. A year later the first book written entirely in Maori was printed. The first Maori language Newspaper, which was called Te Karere o Niu Tireni, was printed in 1842. Shortly after there were approximately 39 Maori language Newspapers, some of which were Maori owned and operated. However, majority of the papers were not around for very long. Today, there are numerous 19th century manuscripts that are available at the libraries of New Zealand.
Some recent works done in Maori are short, fictional stories. There are several novels written by Maori authors that have been translated into Maori. One significant author by the name of Katerina Mataira is recognized for writing the only novel written entirely in Maori.
The Maori language does not constantly mark vowel length, which means that varying lengths of vowels can change the meaning of words. Native Maori speakers developed ways to mark vowel length. Their system is very similar to the way the Hawaiian language and system of writing was, and still is. Both groups include macro-like bars (kahako’s) over vowels or doubled vowels to indicate the dragging sound.
Maori writing system is explained in great detail in a book called Maori that was written by Ray Harlow. http://books.google.com/books?id=RkJTxNbcv7oC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=maori+writing+system&source=bl&ots=uxdnjyMF1C&sig=VucuMpj-pSKuNlFEY-KYjSfNkTE&hl=en&ei=G5WTSZfyKJLQsAOH7PWiBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA87,M1
Maori is slowly being developed more to it in with our modern life styles. More and more of the younger generations are learning to speak Maori as a second language. I hope the language never dies out because it is unique and beautiful to hear. I found a video on a Maori club singing and doing a traditional dance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=PlayList&p=A7990DEB331F2BD6&playnext=1&index=2

Work Cited:
• He Korero mo Te re Maori
http://www.maorilanguage.info/mao_lang_faq.html
• Maori By: Ray Harlow (Found on Google book search)
http://books.google.com/books?id=RkJTxNbcv7oC&pg=PA85&lpg=PA85&dq=maori+writing+system&source=bl&ots=uxdnjyMF1C&sig=VucuMpj-pSKuNlFEY-KYjSfNkTE&hl=en&ei=G5WTSZfyKJLQsAOH7PWiBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPA87,M1
• Video of a Maori club
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQLUygS0IAQ&feature=PlayList&p=A7990DEB331F2BD6&playnext=1&index=2


Link to map image:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/new-zealand/map_of_new-zealand.jpg