PRIORITY AREAS FOR MĀORI LANGUAGE PLANNING

The latest Māori Language Survey undertaken in 2001 gives a detailed breakdown of Māori language acquisition and usage (including proficiency) amongst our nation's population.

These statistics show us where Māori is being spoken or even more telling - where it is not being spoken. This information can be used to highlight the priority areas where language planning can be most useful.

Intergeneration transmission - the natural learning of a language through parent to child, grandparent to mokopuna, occurs in the home environment and in the wider community.

Results from the Health of the Māori Language Survey 2001 showed that Māori was not commonly spoken within Māori households, and that outside the household Māori language was generally confined to those contexts typically associated with Māori language use.

The future health of reo Māori depends on ensuring that intergenerational transmission takes place, therefore a priority area where Māori language planning can assist is:

Māori language use in the home and community

Naturalisation - A naturalised language is one that is used in everyday contexts and situations.

Results from the Health of the Māori Language Survey 2001 showed that outside the household Māori language was generally confined to those contexts typically associated with Māori language use, and least likely to be heard when dealing with general health providers and government service providers, eg social services, the police and courts.

Reo Māori must be naturalised to remain a living and spoken language, therefore a priority area where Māori language planning can assist is:

Māori language use in existing and new domains including the public and private sectors

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