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Maori, the language of the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, known as the Māori, is an integral part of the country's cultural heritage. Māori belongs to the Eastern Polynesian group of the Austronesian language family. The arrival of Polynesian ancestors of Māori in New Zealand is estimated to have occurred sometime between 1200 and 1300 CE, with the language evolving distinctly over the centuries.
In its traditional form, Māori is rich in oral literature, including myths, legends, and poetry, which were an essential means of preserving history and whakapapa (genealogy) before the arrival of Europeans. The written form of the language was developed after the early 19th-century arrival of Christian missionaries, who standardized the language using the Latin script. The earliest-known written use of Māori dates back to 1815, with the first printed publication in 1830.
One of the unique features of the Māori language is its use of the glottal stop, represented by the character "ʻ" known as the "kōkī." Additionally, Māori has 15 distinct sounds, including five vowels which can be short or long, altering the meaning of a word. For instance, "keke" means "cake", whereas "kēkē" refers to "armpit".
In the mid-20th century, Māori faced significant language decline due to urbanization and the predominance of English. In recent years, however, there has been a cultural revival, and the language is taught in schools and universities. Since 1987, Te Reo Māori has been recognized as an official language of New Zealand. This resurgence is exemplified by initiatives like Māori Language Week and the establishment of kohanga reo (language nest) early childhood education programs, which immerse young children in the language and traditional Māori cultural values.
Māori continues to be a living symbol of the identity and heritage of the indigenous people of New Zealand, with its preservation and revitalization considered vital for maintaining the nation's unique cultural landscape.
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