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Brace yourselves for a cultural journey as we dive into the vibrant world of Samoan Language Week, starting on May 26. This special week was first commemorated in 2007 by the Human Rights Commission of New Zealand to uphold linguistic diversity, and it has been a rich educational experience ever since. Participants are encouraged to learn the beautiful Samoan language and also get acclimated to its fascinating history and culture. Experience the unique culture of the Pacific as we speak, sing, and celebrate throughout Samoan Language Week. It's indeed an incredible journey of language learning and cultural appreciation. So tune in, learn, engage and enjoy!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2007</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inception of Samoan Language Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>Samoan Language Week first kicked off initiated by the Human Rights Commission of New Zealand to promote linguistic diversity and cultural understanding.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2008</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Community Engagement Increases</div><div class='timeline-text'>The second annual event gains more community involvement with schools, libraries, and museums offering cultural learning activities and language workshops.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Samoan Government Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Samoan government formally recognises the celebration, further endorsing its cultural relevance and importance.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion to Australia</div><div class='timeline-text'>Australia commences its annual Samoan Language Week celebrations, expanding the reach of this important cultural event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digitalization due to COVID-19</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the onset of the global pandemic, Samoan Language Week moves a lot of its activities online, allowing for a broader international participation.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased Global Participation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Increased digital activities have led to more global participation, broadening cultural understanding and reach of the Samoan language.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Engage in a conversation using simple Samoan phrases</h3><p class='facts-text'>You can start with basic greetings, like "Talofa" which means "Hello". Find friends or family who can converse with you in Samoan or even join an online language exchange group. This is a great way to boost your confidence and work on your pronunciation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a Samoan storytime</h3><p class='facts-text'>Invite people over for a night of storytelling, sharing Samoan folk tales, legends, and personal stories. This can bring the language to life, allowing the audience to connect the words they learn with their cultural context.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook a traditional Samoan meal</h3><p class='facts-text'>You can also learn the Samoan language by familiarizing yourself with the names of different ingredients and cooking methods. Cooking a traditional meal not only helps you with the language, but it is also a great way to experience Samoan culture firsthand.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Listen to Samoan music</h3><p class='facts-text'>Help your ear become familiar with the intonations and rhythms of the Samoan language by immersing yourself in its music. This can be a fun, relaxing way to learn new words and better understand pronunciation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Join a Samoan language workshop</h3><p class='facts-text'>Find a community center or online platform offering Samoan language workshops. This gives you the chance to learn from experienced instructotrs and interact with others who are also learning the language.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Exposure to another culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>We love Samoan Language Week because it allows us to become immersed in an entirely different language and culture. By learning common phrases and hearing traditional stories, we can not only expand our knowledge but also gain a deep appreciation for the rich Samoan history and customs.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>An enjoyable learning experience</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Samoan Language Week isn't just about studying a new language - it's about making the learning process fun. Whether it's through cooking a traditional meal, enjoying Samoan music, or participating in a language exchange group, the whole week is a delightful blend of education and entertainment.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Community engagement</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Samoan Language Week, both individuals and communities come together to celebrate and appreciate Samoan culture. Participating in this event is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, share experiences, and forge a sense of community, making it a treasured annual event.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Samoan Language is Known as Gagana Samoa</h3><p class='facts-content'>The language spoken by the Samoan people, both in the Samoa Islands and across the globe, is called Gagana Samoa. It's a rich Polynesian language that has roots reaching deep into Pacific history.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Samoan Has a Polysynthetic Structure</h3><p class='facts-content'>Samoan is a polysynthetic language. This means words are often formed of multiple morphemes, or smallest units of meaning, that can modify or change the word's overall meaning — allowing for complex expression within single words.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Over 400,000 People Can Speak Samoan Worldwide</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite Samoa's geographical isolation in the South Pacific, over 400,000 people worldwide can speak Samoan. This is due to Samoans' migration to other countries, particularly New Zealand and the United States.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Samoan is Taught in Primary and Secondary Schools</h3><p class='facts-content'>In Samoa, Gagana Samoa is the medium of instruction in schools through fifth grade, after which English takes over. However, Samoan continues to be a compulsory subject thereafter, ensuring that the language remains alive among the younger generation.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Samoan Language Week Themes Change Every Year</h3><p class='facts-content'>Every year Samoan Language Week adopts a theme related to current social or cultural concerns. This way, the celebration not only promotes language learning but also sparks deeper conversations about cultural values and societal issues.</p></div></div>
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