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Traditional Treasures – Preserving and reviving the Niuean language,
Niue
Lynsey Talagi and the organisations Nukututaha Christchurch and Christchurch Fuata Niue (Youth group) successfully implemented the Niuean language project, 'Traditional Treasures', the first of its kind in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The reasons for implementing such a project included the fact that:
- More than 20, 000 Niueans live in New Zealand. Less than 20% of New
Zealand-born Niueans over 5 years old can hold a conversation in Niuean. The
preservation of the Niuean language for future generations is of the utmost
importance as it is part of our identity as a Niuean.
- There were no language classes in Christchurch for youth and adults before
Traditional Treasures.
The goals of the project were to increase the knowledge of the Niuean language amongst youth and the Niuean community in Christchurch, New Zealand, especially New Zealand-born Niueans. This would contribute to the preservation of the Niuean language.
Activities of this project included:
- Enlisting tutors;
- Publicity and Outreach;
- Evaluation of Niue language proficiency;
- Weekly classes with the youth and community;
- Prizes for a speech and writing competition.
"The hard part was getting the classes off the ground and maintaining them, but it has been rewarding. Christchurch may be a long way from increasing its fluent Niuean speakers but we are making progress. It is necessary to nurture the passion of students who are willing to learn Niuean. Restructuring of the syllabus and increasing resources is of great importance for the success of the language classes in 2008 and in years to come.
An annual speech and writing competition in Christchurch is an event that not only
adds to the students’ linguistic ability but also to the pool of resources. This is
something that will optimistically be achieved in 2008. On a larger scale, an annual
competition nationwide that includes all ages and all language abilities would go a
long way to keeping the language alive.
Collaboration between Niue language providers and teachers nationwide and in Niue
is important. There is a lot that teachers with no formal training can learn from those
with training and from those who have successfully taught the language. This could
be done through workshops, online forums and/or teleconferences. Kia Monuina." - Lynsey
For more information:
Lynsey Talagi: lnt10@student.canterbury.ac.nz
Final Report [PDF 4Mb]
Background information
Objectives, activities, progress reports, workplan, project proposal
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