THE MAORI LANGUAGE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 11

THE MAORI LANGUAGE

Si- your various correspondents are to be’complimented for. urging the proper pronunciation of Maori names and place names. Maori ought to be a subject for study and practice in the curricula of out university colleges, teachers training colleecs and public schools. The way words of the Maori language are mispronounced at present (save us from the guards at the various rall ''' as ' stations) is truly deplorable, and that opens the further fact that many place names are incorrectly,spelt.and written. It seems to be nobody s business to have these corrected. Of the few Maori names retained about Wellington City almost every one is incorrectly formed. Perhaps the reader will be unable to it cognise them in Wharepouri. Te 1 uni, Owhiro Karore, Kai-wharawhara, Ngauranga, - Pito-one, Wai-whetu, and so on. As your correspondent, Phonetic, urges, if our Broadcasting Company would take the matter up and distribute the proper pronunciation of Maori words to all their listeners they would be doing a real service. The Maori language is easy to learn, as it is phonetically written, and SP If °the Press, clergy, teaching profession and Education Department, etc., took an interest in seeing that our Maori words are properly pronounced, they would be doing a great service. I think there, is no better way than to see that Maori is correctly pronounced by the children ot our primary schools. Sir, we hope that those of your readers who take a deep interest in the study of Maori will do their best to further the advancement and study of the language. I am, etc.. RQRB <T JOSEI >nS. Maniopoto Tribe. Te Kuiti, November 19.