Transcript
Samoan language Pasifika Education Centre tutor, Sebrina Fa'avae says Samoan Language Week is a special occasion and a beautiful way to keep the gagana or language alive in New Zealand. The theme this year is "Ma'au i lou ofaga. Maua'a lou fa'asinomaga." or "Keep your identity alive to thrive."
"It is meaningful to me because it defines who I am and where I come from. Before I used to take it for granted but now I relish every opportunity of using it. The language gives me confidence to be able to communicate with others making connections as I go."
She says learning to speak your language, teaches you that your identity and culture are inseparable because the key to culture is language.
"E taua tele le gagana au ai e loa ai lou faaloalo, e loa ai lou tagata, ma mea e te sau mai ai. O lou gagana ma lou aganu'u, e uo faatasi. O le key o lou atanu'u o lou gagana lea. Faafetai."
Student Italia Toelei'u is a first born New Zealand generation Samoan who isn't fluent in the language but is attending the free Samoan class to improve. She says learning Samoan connects her to her parent's generation, and all the things Samoans value like family, culture, God and the church.
"We're lucky because we have a homeland to go back to, but not all of us get to go back as often. So I always think it is important you keep your culture alive and as we are getting older our parents and our parent's generation are passing on and I think it is important to keep the language and culture alive and this is one way of doing it."
Ms Toelei'u says there's a key Samoan proverb she lives by.
"O le alu i le pule o le tautua.The path to leadership is through service and I think for us Samoan people it's not just about titles, regarding leadership, it is through service. I see it as whether it is giving back to your family, whether it is giving back to your colleagues or to your church. but the whole idea about leadership is through serving others."
Another student, John Vaifale, is 20 years of age and he's learning Samoan for personal reasons.
"I guess it is for personal reasons. So when I was younger I was able to speak the language more but growing up and mainly being around English I kind of lost the language so it is more or less just trying to regain the language."
He says he's set himself a target.
"My goal is just to speak naturally, speak without hesitation, you know, I don't want to be nervous when some random Samoan person asks questions and I just stand there and freeze up cos i don't know what he is saying. I want to be able to reply with confidence."
John Vaifale says he believes a week to celebrate Samoan language and culture has great value.
"Yeah it is needed in my opinion. I feel like it is great to have a week where we can just acknowledge our own culture and it is great to have around."
John Vaifale says it's never too late and to not to be afraid to learn your language and culture.He says the first step to getting better is acknowledging your weaknesses and doing something about it.Samoan language week runs until Saturday June three.
