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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: brigidmac on Sunday 08 January 23 08:20 GMT (UK)

Title: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Sunday 08 January 23 08:20 GMT (UK)

I am starting multi lingual storytelling accompanied with  Makaton sign language and would like to include  a little tribute to the late Raj
Who always started her conversation s in chatroom with
" Kia ora"

International Makaton is simple sign language and deals in concepts & ideas rather than exact words

So the sign for "Hello ".could be the same as sign for peace be upon you all / good morning or whatever the traditional greeting is in a country

To start
. What does" Kia ora "mean  precisely
 is there an accompanying gesture

Could someone tell me how to say in Maori :

Once upon a time)/ years ago/in the past
Lady / person   or elder
Family story /history
New Zealand

The  signs are usually international in Makaton first letter of alphabet is used a lot .
So adaptations have to be made

For example sign for man is same as sign for beard and length of beard indicates age
Sign for lady  is index finger 'l" against side of face quick tap for young lady held longer for older lady ( so I don't think it will be an l in other languages....I'm learning as I go )

I haven't yet learnt sign for person


It would be a way to keep Rajs  memory alive and for people in Leicester England to connect to new Zealand + learn  some Maori words  including Kia ora
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 08 January 23 09:47 GMT (UK)
Maybe try an internet search for any words you want to know the meaning of.

If you are doing this storytelling in the UK and the sign language you use deals in concepts and ideas rather than words, wouldnt the examples you gave be the same in English and Maori language?
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Jebber on Sunday 08 January 23 09:55 GMT (UK)
From the little I know from visiting NZ, Kia Ora has many meanings, generally Good Health or Good Luck.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Fresh Fields on Sunday 08 January 23 10:06 GMT (UK)
Hello from NZ.

A good start would be to use MR G with a search for “ te reo Maori Language”. That would give you an introduction to todays movement to give renewed life to spoken and written Māori in general. Also moves by the hand signing community.

For those of us of European ancestry, who have researched into our ancestor’s NZ arrivals over the past 183 years, and looked up old records etc, the oral Māori language of the 1840’s has evolved immensely. And through the Missionaries, adopted an alphabet, that gave them the ability to convey language between distant parties, through the written word.

But regional, and kinship associations, can have considerable bearings on what is considered the correct way, to express oneself.

And like modern day UK, it is still possible to get an indication of a families roots, through local and regional dialects, and their choice of words.

Therefore when seeking translations of old written Māori correspondence etc, translators are not to keen, to put their name on the translation, unless they are from that family / genealogy, tribe, etc.

If you know a little of the history of the person, and seek answers from the Language department  of the local University, they should be able to help.

Auckland AUT, and Waikato University have strong departments in this field, and should be able to cover the local tribes, for the upper half of the North Island.

Alan.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Sunday 08 January 23 13:45 GMT (UK)
I rarely do a whole story in a language I m not familiar with and would not trust computer generated translations

After a insightful message from freshfields
I think I LL just include a greeting in my intro
And mention the lady / friend from new Zealand in my English+ Makaton intro when I do world wide languages in April or June .

But will definitely check out Mr G + see if new Zealand hand signing is closer to British or American or totally different

Please remind me nearer time

January I'm doing Arabic
February will be mostly French as the language of love

I can only do songs in Scottish Gaelic  maybe that will be main language for march

Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Fresh Fields on Sunday 08 January 23 18:36 GMT (UK)
The short answer re Kai Ora.

Alan.

OOps try again.  Spelling letting me down again.

Better results affirming Jebber's post.

EDIT 1st image posted, swapped out. Kia Ora correct spelling in this instance.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Sunday 08 January 23 21:39 GMT (UK)
Thanks so much Alan
Good to see images
With explanations
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 08 January 23 22:00 GMT (UK)
“ Please remind me nearer time ”

I think it advisable that set yoir own reminder, write it on calendar or whatever your preferred method is.

Unlikely anyone here will remember to remind you.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Sunday 08 January 23 22:23 GMT (UK)
I have more faith in others than myself Ruskie  🤣🙂

Of course I should write it somewhere
If i.put it on Internet it will get lost in hyperspace
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Ruskie on Sunday 08 January 23 22:38 GMT (UK)
Moderator note: comment deleted, not in the spirit of RootsChat.

Spades
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Ruskie on Monday 09 January 23 10:23 GMT (UK)
Moderator note: comment deleted, not in the spirit of RootsChat.

Spades

Really? Oh well never mind. It can go unsaid.  :)
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Tuesday 10 January 23 13:26 GMT (UK)
For those of you who don't know which rootschat member I want to pay tribute to

It's Rajah aka Jean

Page with tributes was

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=819057.0

Ps Ruskie I can probably imagine your comment and wouldn't have taken in personally
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 10 January 23 21:37 GMT (UK)
 ;D
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Fresh Fields on Wednesday 11 January 23 00:32 GMT (UK)
Hello again.

Thanks for the link, and the Member's user name. 

It was indeed the post that I had some recall of, and prompted me to reply. I could not find it in a NZ board search, as I did not think to attach NZ to the search criteria. Raj // Rajah

https://teara.govt.nz/en/tribal-organisation/page-2

This link will give some idea of how Maaori see their linage, and allow you to seek assistance from their tribal affiliations etc.

While RajahNZ regularly used the common forms of Maaori greetings, in her posts, I see only research into ancestors in the UK. So am not in a position to assist any further re introductions to descendants etc.

All the best with your project.

Regards,

Alan.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Wednesday 11 January 23 03:39 GMT (UK)
Thank you so much Alan

I studied linguistics at  university

So am interested in all languages
My grandfather was a sailor and told us that if we learnt greetings and thankyou in as many languages as possible it would please hosts and could bring happiness to a homesick traveller



Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: prophetess on Sunday 29 January 23 22:37 GMT (UK)
For those of you who don't know which rootschat member I want to pay tribute to

It's Rajah aka Jean

Page with tributes was

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=819057.0

Ps Ruskie I can probably imagine your comment and wouldn't have taken in personally

I have been clearing out files and came across two letters from Raj, which she sent me in 2011 and 2012, with her Christmas card,  sad to see she is no longer with us.
 I always remember her greeting us in the chatroom with  Kai Ora.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: shanreagh on Monday 30 January 23 08:51 GMT (UK)
I think it would be Kia Ora.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: jbml on Wednesday 01 March 23 12:12 GMT (UK)
Who remembers the television advertising campaign from the 1980s for Kia Ora orange squash?

"I'll be your dog .... "
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Fresh Fields on Monday 08 May 23 00:53 BST (UK)
Hello again.

Four months later to the day, and my local newspaper comes out with this modified mast head.

Can not remember seing anything like this before, top of page one.

Regards,

Alan.
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: brigidmac on Monday 08 May 23 05:17 BST (UK)
Thanks Alan I will copy and share on my FEELGOOD page

Today I've promised to do a sign language song or story for our street party for  coronation . I didn't particularly want to do a royal themed one but watched some of the show yesterday and saw a sign language song was included about " better day " so I have 4 hours to get up and dressed and learn that !
Title: Re: Maori language
Post by: Fresh Fields on Monday 08 May 23 10:28 BST (UK)
Enjoy the day, and share, is what counts. All the best.

Alan. 

PS Many of us down under watched the live coverage, so after 1am before we went to bed.