Keegan, P. J., King, J., Maclagan, M., Watson, C. & Harlow, R. (2009). Changes in the pronunciation of Māori and implications for teachers and learners of Māori. In S. May (Ed.). LED 2007: 2nd International Conference on Language, Education and Diversity, Refereed Conference Proceedings and Keynotes, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, 21-24 November 2007 [CD-ROM]. Hamilton, New Zealand: The University of Waikato.
Abstract
This paper discusses changes in the pronunciation of Māori and implications for teachers and learners of Māori. Data on changes in the pronunciation of Māori derives from the MAONZE project (Māori and New Zealand English with support from the Marsden fund). The project uses recordings from three sets of speakers to track changes in the pronunciation of Māori and evaluate influence from English. Results from the project show changes in both vowel quality and vowel duration and some evidence of diphthong mergers in pairs such as ai/ae and ou/au, especially amongst the younger speakers. In terms of duration the younger speakers are producing smaller length distinctions between long/short vowel pairs other than /ā, a/. We discuss the implications of such changes for those teaching Māori and for students learning Māori as a subject. These changes raise interesting questions concerning the pronunciation of Māori by future generations.
Publisher
The University of Waikato
