Papua New Guinea Language Week 2024
The theme for the inaugural Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week | Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik is ‘Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna - Preserve, revitalise and promote our language and culture.’
To recognise and celebrate the week, AUT Master of Engineering student, Gordon Max, shares his language learning journey in the 10th instalment of the University’s Pacific language video series for 2024, below.
Gordon is a Manaaki Scholar, interested in hydroelectric, solar and wind energy. Upon completing his studies with AUT, he plans to focus on the adoption of renewable energy in his homelands.
When describing his language journey, Gordon says, “Some key figures have greatly influenced my commitment to language, including my family, respected elders and senior people. It is essential for young people in Papua New Guinea to carry forward their native languages as these embody the wisdom, identity and history of their communities.
“With the forces of globalisation and rise of dominant languages, our native tongues are at risk. Personally, I try to use tok pisin in my daily life, both at home and in my community. This not only strengthens my connection to my heritage, but also encourages others to communicate in our said languages.
“Through sustaining languages, we honour our ancestors and empower future generations to embrace their identity in a changing world,” Gordon says.
Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week is the first of two, new Pacific language weeks this year, the second being Solomon Islands Pidgin language week. They join Rotuma, Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue and Tokelau to make a total of 11 Pacific language weeks across the year.
The theme for the Pacific Language Weeks 2024 is sustainability, and AUT’s videos are a celebration of the power of language and culture featuring our Pacific staff, students and alumni who are sharing their experiences and journey with sustaining their Pacific language.
The videos feature Pacific stories of the significance of heritage languages, from the perspectives of business leaders to educators, community leaders and more, who are all passionate about sustaining languages for future generations.
Through their stories, it will be evident the many ways in which language is a vital component of cultural identity and the ways our alumni have implemented it into their daily lives.
Papua New Guinea Pidgin greetings and other resources for Papua Niugini Tok Pisin Wik, including email signatures and printable posters, are available on the website of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Release date
To watch each video in the 2024 AUT Pacific language video series as they are launched, follow the Pacific at AUT Facebook page or watch on YouTube.
- Solomon Islands Pidgin Language Week: 24 - 30 November 2024