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Glite Dictionary
Maori language

Maori language

8.1
A language spoken by the Maori people of New Zealand
  • noun
  • /ˈmɑːəri ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
translation icon : idioma maorí
  • Many New Zealand schools teach the Maori language to promote cultural awareness.

Examples

  • The Maori language is an important part of New Zealand's cultural heritage.

  • This transfer of cultural knowledge through narratives is a significant factor in the retention and revitalization of the Maori language (Moorfield, 2000).

    Academic text (2012)

  • For example, New Zealanders use a great deal of Maori words; hell, you can watch the Maori language news on television.

    Blog text (7)

  • The Maori language has unique sounds and grammar that distinguish it from English.

Synonyms

Maori
vsMaori language
7.5

The language of the native Polynesian people of New Zealand

uses an Oceanic classification that is broader than the Polynesian label

Surface Forms

Maori language singular
Maori languages plural

Morphology

Maori + language

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'Maori' names the people/group and 'language' denotes a speech system, so 'Maori language' straightforwardly means the language of the Maori people. This ethnic-group + language pattern is cross-linguistically common and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

Maori language is the native speech of the Maori people of New Zealand. The name 'Maori' used to mean 'ordinary', so the phrase simply points to the people's own language.