learning to speak Maori
Feb 2nd 2010, 6:41 am
#16
Scorchy legs
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Kapiti coast
Posts: 2,069
Re: learning to speak Maori
To the OP.
Maori pronunciation is very phonetic. Pronounce each vowel for instance and don't weigh any one vowel over another. The Maori tongue has a rather staccato delivery.
I see it as a very new written language but a very old verbal language.
Maybe THIS BOOK will suit.
This will give you 100 words.
Dewb
Feb 2nd 2010, 7:19 am
#18
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Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Bay of Plenty
Posts: 331
Re: learning to speak Maori
Maybe the Welsh can.
Last edited by Hokey-pokey; Feb 2nd 2010 at 7:22 am.
Feb 2nd 2010, 7:20 am
#19
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Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Tamaki Makau Rau
Posts: 778
Re: learning to speak Maori
And this one too...look pretty goodkorero maori
I took a te reo course soon after I arrived here.
language is so linked with culture so the course looked at both as well as waiata (song)
I really made an effort in the early days (as now) to pronounce things correctly.
Te reo is commonly spoken in my work place so it is handy to know some, and to try a little.
And my old neighbour spoke te reo as a first languages, as did her little boy
I like languages in general, and I'm nosy so I hate to miss out by not knowing what is going on
I took a te reo course soon after I arrived here.
language is so linked with culture so the course looked at both as well as waiata (song)
I really made an effort in the early days (as now) to pronounce things correctly.
Te reo is commonly spoken in my work place so it is handy to know some, and to try a little.
And my old neighbour spoke te reo as a first languages, as did her little boy
I like languages in general, and I'm nosy so I hate to miss out by not knowing what is going on
Feb 2nd 2010, 5:52 pm
#22
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,787
Re: learning to speak Maori
that was my first thought too 
does that make me a racist
seriously if you dont need it for your job forget it.
No maori i've every met has ever pressumed i could speak it
and i've not met two who speak it to each other never mind
speak it to a whie man.
None of the maori people i work with can speak it either.
I think you'd be seen more as a suck up than respecting a culture
that doesnt respect you if you tried.
does that make me a racist
seriously if you dont need it for your job forget it.
No maori i've every met has ever pressumed i could speak it
and i've not met two who speak it to each other never mind
speak it to a whie man.
None of the maori people i work with can speak it either.
I think you'd be seen more as a suck up than respecting a culture
that doesnt respect you if you tried.
Feb 2nd 2010, 5:54 pm
#23
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,787
Re: learning to speak Maori
Feb 2nd 2010, 9:09 pm
#24
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: learning to speak Maori
Maori is an official NZ language and although you might come across as a bit try hard if you rock up and start flagging down Maori on the street to converse with, I think you'd be applauded for having a rudimentary grasp of the language before you arrive and it would certainly help with the initial pronounciation of place names etc!
Maori is an endangered language (spoken fluently by only 10-20 % of the Maori population), was almost entirely wiped out only a few decades ago DELIBERATELY. I think all NZers should be pissed off about that ... language is such an incredible part of cultural identity, history and belonging- I don't think any of us English speaking British Expats can really understand the ramifications of having had your language nearly annihilated within living memory.
Maori is an endangered language (spoken fluently by only 10-20 % of the Maori population), was almost entirely wiped out only a few decades ago DELIBERATELY. I think all NZers should be pissed off about that ... language is such an incredible part of cultural identity, history and belonging- I don't think any of us English speaking British Expats can really understand the ramifications of having had your language nearly annihilated within living memory.
Feb 2nd 2010, 11:29 pm
#25
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,208
Re: learning to speak Maori
This previous thread may be interesting, or at the very least give you a giggle.
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:33 am
#26
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26
Re: learning to speak Maori
My wife has recently qualified as a teacher and underwent a Te Reo course as part of this. It taught us both lots about the culture and traditions of Maori and led to a deeper understanding of the Maori resentment towards aspects of pakeha behaviours, many of which are demonstrated on this thread.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
Feb 3rd 2010, 7:06 pm
#27
Scorchy legs
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Kapiti coast
Posts: 2,069
Re: learning to speak Maori
My wife has recently qualified as a teacher and underwent a Te Reo course as part of this. It taught us both lots about the culture and traditions of Maori and led to a deeper understanding of the Maori resentment towards aspects of pakeha behaviours, many of which are demonstrated on this thread.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
Dewb
Feb 3rd 2010, 9:38 pm
#28
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,820
Re: learning to speak Maori
My wife has recently qualified as a teacher and underwent a Te Reo course as part of this. It taught us both lots about the culture and traditions of Maori and led to a deeper understanding of the Maori resentment towards aspects of pakeha behaviours, many of which are demonstrated on this thread.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
Our increased awareness of the maori culture has led to some fascinating interactions with Maori, the OP should be commended.
To the OP, Maori is all about the pronunciation so I would suggest trying these websites out...
http://www.korero.maori.nz/
http://www.tewhanake.maori.nz/
These helped me greatly when I was studying Te Reo, I hope they provide you with a great start.
Feb 3rd 2010, 10:27 pm
#29
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: bottom of the world
Posts: 4,533
Re: learning to speak Maori
You can still have a healthy respect for the history and culture
without learning the language.
Also i dont think a lot of what goes on today with the maori has
much to do with their culture. I feel a few prominent maori are very
cleverly using culture and the ingnorance of their own people to line
their own pockets.
Feb 4th 2010, 6:30 am
#30
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Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Tamaki Makau Rau
Posts: 778
Re: learning to speak Maori
I dont think not wanting to learn maori is being ingnorant.
You can still have a healthy respect for the history and culture
without learning the language.
Also i dont think a lot of what goes on today with the maori has
much to do with their culture. I feel a few prominent maori are very
cleverly using culture and the ingnorance of their own people to line
their own pockets.
You can still have a healthy respect for the history and culture
without learning the language.
Also i dont think a lot of what goes on today with the maori has
much to do with their culture. I feel a few prominent maori are very
cleverly using culture and the ingnorance of their own people to line
their own pockets.
That's the jot of studying this stuff...you gain a greater insight.
I recommend a book called Healing our History by robert Consedine (expat Irish I believe) Gives great insight into the treaty and beyond. Without the guilt, defensiveness and positioning.