Niue
This year’s theme for Faahi Tapu he Vagahau Niue (from October 13th to October 19th) is ‘Leveki mo e Feaki e Vagahau Niue mo Anoiha’, which means protect and nurture Vagahau Niue for the future. The population of Niue is 1657 on Island; 30,000 Niueans live in New Zealand, and only 11% speak Vagahau Niue. It is one of the most endangered languages in the Pacific. We strongly urge you all to learn some of these kupu.
History
Known as the ‘Rock of Polynesia’. Niue was first settled around 900 CE by Sāmoans, and then a Tongan war party in the 17th century, and later a small migration of people from Pukapuka. In 1900, Niue gained British Protectorate status and in 1901 was annexed to New Zealand. However, under the 1974 Niue Constitution Act, Niue is now a self-governing territory in free-association with New Zealand.
Niue is comprised of 14 villages spread across the island, and two main dialects known as Motu (from the north of the island) and Tafiti (from the south).
Email greetings and sign-offs
Fakaalofa lahi atu - Hello
Fakaaue (lahi oue tulou) = Thank you
Fakamolemole = Please
Fakamolemole mai = Sorry
General phrases
Ko hai e higoa haau? = What is your name?
Ko e higoa haaku ko = My name is
Hau a koe i fē? = Where are you from?
Ko au ko e tagata hau i _ = I’m a person from _
Vagahau niue = Niuean language
Niue aga fakamotu = Niuean culture
Ko e tau monuia hā he haau a tau aloalo lima = Prosperity is in the palm of your hands
Solomon Islands
This year is the first time Solomon Aelan Pijin has been included in the Pacific Language Weeks, with the theme “Protektim langguis an kalsa blong yumi”, which means protect our language and culture. Because the language cards have yet to be released, this column includes very limited words and phrases. We encourage you all to keep an eye out for any information during the language week from November 24th to November 30th.
History
The Solomon Islands are believed to have first been settled between 30,000 and 28,800 BCE. Over the course of the 19th century, Germany annexed the northern Solomons and the British the Southern. During this time, as with many of the Melanesian islands, colonial forces practised ‘blackbirding’, a practice where Indigenous peoples were coerced or kidnapped to work as labourers in Australia, Fiji, and Sāmoa. However, on July 7th 1978, the Solomon Islands gained independence, marking a monumental day that continues to be celebrated by locals.
Comprised of 6 major islands and 900 smaller islands, the Solomon Islands is incredibly diverse, with a population of 734,887 people, and over 70 unique languages. Solomon Aelen Pijin is the most spoken language throughout the region, and is closely related to Tok Pisin of Papua New Guinea and Bislama of Vanuatu.
General phrases
Wat na nem blo iu? = What is your name?
Nem blo mi … = My name is …
Iu blo wea = Where are you from?
Iu hao? = How are you?
Mi gut = I am good
Tanggio tumas = Thank you very much
Diswan hemi bulsit blo’ waitman nomoa = This is simply white-man nonsense
Māuruuru roa & Ngā Mihi,
Mauatua Fa'ara-Reynolds (she/they)
Ashleigh Putt-Fallows (she/her/ia)