Manuia le vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa! Happy Samoan Language Week! (For real this time lol).

Some brief information for this year’s theme.

This year's theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week is Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai - Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.

As part of this year’s overarching theme of ‘Sustainability’, the Samoan community chose a theme that would reflect the journey of language revitalisation and maintenance as well as recognising the importance of having the right tools, good leadership skills, relationships and the correct medium (va’a) that is adaptable to faring the ocean and its elements.

This year marks 12 years since Samoa Language Week has been celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand.  

2022 is also a significant year for the Samoan community, being the 60th anniversary of Samoa Independence. Communities are organising activities to commemorate this milestone, which coincides with Samoa Language Week.

Samoa has a unique historical relationship with New Zealand. It is the only nation that New Zealand has a Treaty of Friendship. The Treaty of Friendship between Samoa and New Zealand is about a commitment to partnership, friendship and a mutual endeavour to obtain for Tagata Samoa fuller opportunities for social progress. Language is critical in achieving this.

Simple Phrases:

O a mai oe?                                      How are you?

Manuia lava fa’afetai                         I’m fine thank you.

O lo’u igoa o ________                       My name is______________

Taeao manuia                                   Good Morning

Fa’afetai                                            Thank you

Fa’amolemole                                    Please.

Tofa                                                  Goodbye.

Manuia le aso/Have a great day

Christine Aumua-Pereira
Deputy Principal of Wellbeing and Hostel