Marae teaching Respect for Muslims
Iwould like to learn how to pronounce the Ma¯ori language correctly. I grew up in a wonderful Ma¯ori/Pakeha community at Takapau in southern Hawke’s Bay, where we all learned Ma¯ori culture and loved it.
My suggestion is that the kaumatua (or those fluent in te reo) hold a Sunday school at their local marae for all those who wish to learn te reo. Most New Zealanders are interested in Ma¯ori heritage, but it it is up to Ma¯ori to get us interested in the language.
There has to be passion in the deal for most New Zealanders to want to learn te reo, because talking to a Chinese citizen in te reo won’t cut it. They want to learn the English language.
Trying to legislate the learning of te reo will be a turnoff.
Terence (Rod) Cranswick, Masterton [abridged]
Ma¯ori pronunciation
Te Wiki o te Reo Ma¯ori has again highlighted the challenges around the ‘‘correct’’ pronunciation of Ma¯ori place names and te reo in general.
However, it is encouraging to see that AntonMatthews and Joel Maxwell are not into shaming people for perceived mispronunciations, but are simply encouraging them to karawhiua – give the ‘‘right’’ way a go. For constant calling out of perceived errors is likely to have the opposite effect.
But forming the appropriate enunciations is not straightforward, as is sometimes suggested by some English approximations put forward. This is because most English vowels are pronounced with loose articulation, and thus tend towards diphthongs, whereas te reo vowels are formed essentially with tight articulation.
While the use of macrons can assist in indicating which vowels should be pronounced ‘‘long’’, they do not necessarily always indicate the correct tonic accentuation to be given to the word, as this may fall on a short vowel as well in many cases.
What then could assist is to place an accent mark over the vowel bearing the tonic accent, similar to French spellings of names such as De´sire´e, or how Spanish distinguishes between the words ‘‘esta’’ (this) and ‘‘esta`’’ (it is).
Placing such an accent onMa¯ori place names could signal where to put the accentuation. If Eketa´huna, Pahia´tua, Parapara´umu, Horowhe´nua, were marked thus, it would give amuch clearer steer on how these names should be pronounced.
Colin Anderson, Upper Hutt [abridged]
Re the abusive attack by awoman on a Muslimman in Kilbirnie (Sept 11), I was appalled anyone should do this.
The Christianity Iwas taught was to love others (‘‘love thy neighbour as yourself’’ – sometimes a hard ask!).
I have great respect for the Muslim community. Iwas fortunate to work with aMuslim colleague for some years. He was a delight to workwith, highly skilled, witty and always willing to help other colleagues and share information. Also, I never heard him criticise any other workmate (despite some justification!).
The stories told during the court hearing for the Christchurch mosque killer were amazing – no acrimony, just matter of fact. Themore I see and hear of Muslims, the more I amgrateful many have chosen to come to New Zealand. I hope in future that New Zealanders will treat them with the respect and friendship they all deserve.
April Bennett, Karori
Try Ata ma¯rie
I have two bones to pick:
The word ‘‘morena’’ upsets me. Used by radio journalists and announcers of otherwise impeccable correctness, it is a modern translation of the word ‘‘morning’’. It’s increasingly mispronounced ‘‘moreena’’, not a Ma¯ori pronunciation at all. Iwish we could all say ‘‘Atama¯rie’’, the traditional way to say ‘‘good morning’’ in te reo. Why not?
Secondly, having heard an impassioned announcement from professors of the Ma¯ori faculty at Waikato University that this much-lauded department is to suffer staff and course losses earlier and more extensively than other departments, I join professor of te reo and tikanga Pou Temara and others in expressing my anger and shock at such a possibility.
Why decimate this fine Ma¯ori department when New Zealanders are queuing up to learn te reo? I fervently hope any such idea is quashed in its infancy.
Michele Dales, Mt Victoria