Children's picture books reflect changing attitudes to languages and can support revitalization
We know from a wealth of research that children's picture books support language learning.
Children's picture books in New Zealand have evolved to reflect changing attitudes toward languages, particularly te reo Māori. Since the 1970s, there has been a significant increase in the use of te reo Māori in trade picture books published in Aotearoa. This shift is evident in the way languages are represented in these books, with Māori often given equal prominence to English.
In the 1970s, books like "Crayfishing with Grandmother" featured Māori text alongside English, even though Māori was not yet an official language in Aotearoa. This represented a groundbreaking step towards supporting a bilingual future. Similar dual-language books followed, such as "Pukunui" (1976) and "Te Kuia me te Pūngāwerewere" (1981), which were published simultaneously in Māori and English versions.
More recent examples include "Kanohi My Face" (2015) and "Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro" (2022), both of which prioritize Māori text and recognize that many readers are familiar with the language. By presenting Māori words and phrases without a glossary, these picture books acknowledge readers' existing knowledge of Māori and support language learning through context and illustrations.
These books serve as a reflection of societal beliefs about language and have the power to disrupt or change language attitudes. The way languages are presented in these picture books provides a permanent record of the languages being passed on to future generations, promoting inclusive attitudes towards te reo Māori.
Written by urgent.news from Phys.org's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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