Why I dread Cook Islands Māori Language Week | E-Tangata
Why I dread Cook Islands Māori Language Week | E-Tangata
e-tangata.co.nz
Why I dread Cook Islands Māori Language Week | E-Tangata
"Whenever Cook Islands Māori languages week rolls around, I get a sense of dread. I know that’s probably not what some of you want or expect to hear. But it is my reality." — Tepaeru Minster.
I know tupuna are always with us, but language is the vehicle of cultural transmission. Consequently, language is critical to a person’s health. That’s why we celebrate language weeks throughout the year. And I don’t just mean Pacific languages weeks. There are others too. New Zealand Sign Language Week, New Zealand Chinese Language Week, Hindi Language Week.