12:29 PM |
Samoan Language Week Coming Soon
Press Release – Human Rights Commission
With only a fortnight to go, momentum for Samoan Language Week 2010 (30 May to 5 June) is building, with events set to take place throughout New Zealand and more than 2000 supporters signed up to the Samoan Language Week Facebook page.Samoan Language Week Coming Soon
With only a fortnight to go, momentum for Samoan Language Week 2010 (30 May to 5 June) is building, with events set to take place throughout New Zealand and more than 2000 supporters signed up to the Samoan Language Week Facebook page.
"We've still got two weeks to go and support for Samoan language and our week of celebrations continues to grow," says Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres.
He noted Samoan Language Week will be observed in Australia for the first time this year.
During the week, people and organisations celebrating the Samoan language will hold events based on the theme 'O Le Tātou Gagana Sāmoa i Niu Sila – Our Samoan Language in New Zealand."
Samoan is the third most commonly spoken language in New Zealand, after English and te reo Māori and is now part of our diverse, collective New Zealand cultural heritage, says Mr de Bres.
"By promoting and celebrating the Samoan language, we are raising its awareness to not just people of Samoan descent but to all people," says Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin, head of Samoan Studies at Victoria University.
"Promoting languages that are unique to our part of the world and encouraging our children to speak more than one language is a positive aim for the future," he added.
Organisers have been inundated by requests for language resources. A free Samoan phrase booklet will soon be available for people to download from the Human Rights Commission's website, thanks to Fa'alāpotopotoga mo le A'oa'oina o le Gagana Sāmoa i Aotearoa / Association for the Teaching of Samoan in Aotearoa (FAGASA), the Ministry of Education and UNESCO.
Events are taking place throughout New Zealand and Australia, and thanks to Air New Zealand, organisers of the best event will win a free return trip for two to Samoa,(from Auckland)
Kiwi celebrities with Samoan heritage, including league legends Reuben Wiki and Nigel Vagana, and TVNZ presenter Pippa Wetzell, are filming special You Tube shout-outs.
MP Su'a William Sio is encouraging parliamentary colleagues to support the week by making an effort to speak some Samoan in the House.
The Facebook page has also seen people from all over the world sending messages of support from as far afield as Switzerland, Alaska and even Kazakhstan.
Become a fan of the Samoan Language Week Facebook page.
Check out the Commission's Samoan Language Week website page.
ENDS
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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