Welcome to my channel! This is Andy from I love languages. Let's learn different languages/dialects together.

Submitted by: Nikau Jones :D

Kia ora! Ko Aniti tōku ingoa. Kei te pēhea koe?
Hello! My name is Andy. How are you?
Let's talk about the Maori language.

Māori is an Eastern Polynesian language spoken by the Māori people, the indigenous population of mainland New Zealand. It belongs to the Austronesian language family and is related to Cook Islands Māori, Tuamotuan, and Tahitian. The Māori Language Act of 1987 recognized it as one of New Zealand's official languages. There are regional dialects of Māori. Before European contact, Māori had no written language, but it now uses the Latin script. In Māori culture, the language is highly valued as a cultural treasure. Māori is known for its metaphorical poetry and prose. The modern Māori alphabet consists of 15 letters, including two digraphs, with vowels having both short and long forms, the latter marked by macrons.

New Zealand/Aotearoa (lit. means the land of the long white cloud') is an island nation located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island, along with over 700 smaller islands. Renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, ranging from lush forests and rugged mountains to pristine beaches and geothermal wonders, New Zealand offers a diverse environment for residents and visitors alike. The country is known for its vibrant Māori culture, which plays a significant role in national identity, as well as its rich colonial history. With a population of around five million people, New Zealand is celebrated for its high quality of life, progressive social policies, and strong commitment to environmental conservation. Wellington is the capital city, while Auckland, the largest city, is a major hub of commerce and culture.

New Zealand's notable symbols reflect its unique cultural life and history. "Kiwis" has been a nickname for New Zealanders since World War I, and the kiwi bird has been a national symbol since the same era. The silver fern, known in Māori as ponga, has represented New Zealand since the 1880s. Kōwhai blooms are widespread across diverse habitats. The haka, a traditional Māori war dance, is now used by sports teams and schools. The hei-tiki is an ornamental pendant. The kiwifruit, branded for export, is a major export product. The koru, an unfurling silver fern frond, is common in Māori art. Pāua, a species of abalone, is valued for its flesh and iridescent shell. Pounamu (greenstone) is a highly valued nephrite jade. A wharenui is a communal Māori house. Tā moko is traditional Māori tattooing, one of the main Polynesian tattoo styles.

This video is created for educational, language awareness, and language preservation purposes. It aims to provide valuable insights and knowledge to viewers, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of different languages and their unique characteristics. By raising awareness about linguistic diversity, the video seeks to foster a greater respect and recognition for various languages, particularly those that are endangered or underrepresented. Additionally, it contributes to the preservation of languages by documenting and sharing linguistic knowledge, thus ensuring that these languages and their cultural heritage are not lost to future generations.

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