Gagana Samoa

Samoa's Minister of Education wants Gagana Samoa to be used more

Seuula Ioane Tua'au said the Samoan language needs to be used in written and oral exams in all schools.

Seuula is asking schools to move away from speaking English as much as possible.

At the opening of Samoan language celebrations, the minister recommended the establishment of a Samoan language commission to strengthen the national language policy.

The Samoa Observer reports Minister Tua'au saying this would place an emphasis on the use of Gagana Samoa in official documentation in the Government.

     

Radio station develops app to spread Gagana Samoa to the world

Samoa Capital Radio in Wellington, the oldest Samoan radio station in Aotearoa, is behind the production and development of the app.

Samoa's Acting High Commissioner to New Zealand, Robert Niko Aiono, said it would help to bridge the gap for people wanting to learn more about the language.

"They've made this app available and it caters for a lot of Samoans who are born in New Zealand," he said.

"Not only in New Zealand but everywhere else in the world."

The talanoa about the future of our Pacific Languages

The Leo Moana o Aotearoa Pacific Languages Survey is part of a wider project that will support the revitalisation, and sustainability of Te Gagana Tokelau, Vagahau Niue, Te Reo Maori Kuki ‘Airani, Gagana Samoa, Lea Faka-Tonga, Te Gana Tuvalu, Vosa Vakaviti, Fäeag Rotųma and Te taetae ni Kiribati.

“What’s special about the online survey is that it will tell us about people’s attitudes to Pacific languages in New Zealand, including the importance and value that people place on their own languages.

Gagana Samoa is a foundation of Pacific wellbeing

“Languages are essential to having confidence in our Pacific identities. They are the lens through which we understand ourselves and the world around us. Pacific people thrive when we hear our own stories told in our own languages. 

“Samoa Language Week is the second in a year of transition for the language week series, which among other things, sees all language weeks have their own take on a central theme. The theme for 2021 is ‘wellbeing’.   

Spoken word an alternative way to learn for New Zealand-born Samoan student

The proud New Zealand-born Samoan recently triumphed at the ASB Polyfest Pacific Speech Competition, supported by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP). 

He took out the Year 13 Samoa Stage contest with his spoken presentation about how the New Zealand education system is not for everyone. 

“In my speech, I mentioned how everyone has their own weaknesses and strengths and therefore not everyone is reaching their potential - specifically the Pacific community,” Christian explains. 

Language app includes Gagana Samoa

The award-winning Drops added Gagana Samoa to its platform last week, to coincide with New Zealand's Samoan Language week which ended on the weekend.

Samoan is the third Pacific language on Drops, joining te reo Māori and Hawaiian.

Samoan singer and entertainer Annie Grace provided her voice for the app and said it would allow the next generation of speakers to access their language everywhere.

Punialava'a proud to promote Samoan language

The influential band was recently recognised at the Pacific Music Awards - winning this year's Best Language Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award last year.

With Samoan Language Week currently underway, band member Nanai Viellani Lale Peteru said they were proud to promote their culture.

"We appreciate the acknowledgement of Punialava'a helping with Samoan language through poetry, as well as lyrics.

Campaign to learn Samoan language

NZ Herald repots sixty per cent of Samoans in New Zealand speak Gagana Samoa and it is the third most commonly spoken language here.

"I would like to see that number grow and Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa: Samoan Language Week is a time to focus on how we can make that happen," Pacific Peoples Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said.

"The challenge for all of us during this language week is to find opportunities to use Gagana Samoa more in our community, churches and workplaces. We also need to keep using the language for the rest of the year," he said.

Gagana Samoa - a language of the future

“As well as a language that epitomises the ancient Samoan culture, gagana Samoa is also a language of the future,” said Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy.