Ngā Kōrero Tawhito: A review of traditional language expression
In this exciting project, Dr Reuben Collier (Ngāti Porou, Rereahu-Maniapoto) from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi and a team of Māori language and broadcasting experts will analyse never-before-studied Māori audiovisual material to better understand the history of te reo Māori
Published on 7 November whiringa-ā-rangi 2024
The last few decades have seen a resurgence in the recognition and use of te reo Māori in Aotearoa, but more work is needed to ensure that this taonga truly flourishes. In particular, we need to ensure that regional dialects – which link iwi to their histories, geographies and cultural practices – are studied and preserved. Unfortunately, there are very few records that capture the history and spoken nuances of these dialects.
In this Marsden Fund Fast-Start project, Dr Collier and their team will make a significant contribution to preserving and understanding the evolution of te reo Māori by analysing a previously unexplored Māori language resource. The team, composed of esteemed Māori language and media experts, has exclusive access to 400 hours of audio-visual footage from the ‘Ngā Tāngata Taumata Rau: Ngā Tamariki o Te Kohu’ documentary series. This archival footage features native speakers of the Tūhoe dialect, which has a number of unique language features due to the historical isolation of the Tūhoe people. The team will translate this footage and identify unfamiliar or uncommon language features (such as metaphors and gesticulations) and examine dialogue, interpersonal engagement, and broader communication styles.
Through holistic analysis of this precious historical data, this research project will help to revitalise and preserve the diversity of te reo Māori, allowing it to be passed on to future generations. Its findings will also have broader relevance to our understanding of the evolution of language and culture.