Re: Barbara Saies’ letter (The Weekend Sun, August 25) calls for such a response. It is very distasteful that she should misrepresent the views of others in order to make an accusation or insinuation of racism. If Ms Saies had read carefully the letters she criticises, she would have seen that none of them expressed any opposition to te reo Maori, just an opposition to the insertion of Maori words into English for ideological reasons. Margaret Downie took more care in reading the correspondence and made the valid point (The Weekend Sun, August 25) that to pepper the Maori language with English words would be totally unacceptable. Perhaps if Ms Saies were to read more, then she might appreciate the English language more and not be so intolerant towards those who really do like their native English language and who believe it should be accorded the same respect as the Maori language.
Robin Rimmer, Welcome Bay.
Posted: 06:00am Fri 15 Sep, 2023
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2 comments
Well said…
Posted on 17-09-2023 11:48 | By Shadow1
Robin, I completely agree with you. Also the Maori language doesn’t have words for some things like “bulldozer” or “passing lane” but it’s flexible enough to get the meaning across. I dislike it when English words become changed somewhat to sound Maori.
Shadow1.
in all fairness...
Posted on 18-09-2023 10:04 | By KiwiDerek
...a couple of points.
Firstly, regarding Shadow1's comment, it should be noted that the English language didn't have a word for "passing lane" until there were, er, actual "passing lanes". It, like the Maori language, is still growing.
Meanwhile Robin Rimmer kinda gives the game away when describing "the insertion of Maori words into English for ideological reasons" - ideological reasons? Can you perhaps think of other reasons than "ideology"?
The English language has, in pretty much every country it is spoken in, had native words from that country assimilated into it. One in five English words comes from another language. Yet you seem remarkably energised to stop this happening with Maori words. Is it really that offensive to your sensibilities?
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