MAORI PRONUNCIATION
Sir, —In “The Press” of Junesls, I noticed above your correspondents’ letters an answer to “Straight Out” that the Maori “Te Arawhata” should be pronounced as “Tay Ahrafuttex.” I am no Maori scholar, but I feel there are at least two bad mistakes in this explanation: and I would like some Maori authority to put me wrong or set me right. The “te” is the equivalent of the definite article “the” in English, and should be pronounced like “e” in “Ted.” It is part of many New Zealand place names such as Te Muka. Te Rapa, Te Kuiti, etc. The "wh” in Arawhata is one of the Maori consonants, not having exactly the same sound as the "wh” in English, but far different from the sound of "f.” The missionaries may have used the “f” years ago, but one seldom hears it now.—Yours, etc., June 17, 1949.
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Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25834, 20 June 1949, Page 5
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149MAORI PRONUNCIATION Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25834, 20 June 1949, Page 5
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