Maori class
On Thursdays Quinn and I go to Houghton Bay (two bays from Ohwiro Bay) to the playcentre there for a bi-lingual Maori session. Quinn's best friend Quincy and her mom, Miriam, come too.
Quinn and Quincy where they hang up their backpacks
I love learning a new language and Maori in particular--it's the highlight of Quinn's week too. There are Maori songs we sing and the other parents there can speak completely in Maori.
Miriam and I cram, ask questions, look things up and generally try to increase our rudimentary skills. It's nice to have a friend in this who is at my same level.
It's interesting to see what a spectrum of ability Pakeha (white New Zealanders) have for the Maori language. Although some is taught at school, you need to seek it out to speak it well. There were generations before us where Maori people were punished for speaking in their own language. Over the past few decades there has been a movement to bring it back, not just in Maori circles but for the Pakeha too. It's a nuanced relationship between Pakeha and Maori...one I've never experienced before.
Through the playcentre I am taking a free class on Monday nights which is really helping to make it all clearer. It's a lot like the Malagasy language, indigenous, poetic and steeped in place.
Different ways of saying goodbye depending on whether you are the one leaving or staying
Quinn and Quincy where they hang up their backpacks
I love learning a new language and Maori in particular--it's the highlight of Quinn's week too. There are Maori songs we sing and the other parents there can speak completely in Maori.
Miriam and I cram, ask questions, look things up and generally try to increase our rudimentary skills. It's nice to have a friend in this who is at my same level.
It's interesting to see what a spectrum of ability Pakeha (white New Zealanders) have for the Maori language. Although some is taught at school, you need to seek it out to speak it well. There were generations before us where Maori people were punished for speaking in their own language. Over the past few decades there has been a movement to bring it back, not just in Maori circles but for the Pakeha too. It's a nuanced relationship between Pakeha and Maori...one I've never experienced before.
Through the playcentre I am taking a free class on Monday nights which is really helping to make it all clearer. It's a lot like the Malagasy language, indigenous, poetic and steeped in place.
Different ways of saying goodbye depending on whether you are the one leaving or staying
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