This year’s theme for Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week is Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua - Sustaining our Language and Culture.
To support the umbrella Pacific Language Weeks theme of Sustainability, the Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta theme was chosen to build on from last year’s focus on the Four Pillars of Wellbeing.
In launching Rotuman Language Week 2022 today, Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio said that "Sustainability aligns to New Zealand’s opportunity to build back better from COVID-19 as we reopen to the world and reconnect with one another.”
"The theme also aligns with UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which started this year, and recognises the right to preserve, revitalise and promote languages."
The Hata Collective, representing many of the Rotuman communities in Aotearoa, selected the pillar that best supports the concept of sustainability - VETḀKI - which means to continuously do something without interruption.
"VETḀKI is a word rarely used in the current spoken language, so the use of this word in the theme signals the need for revival of Fäeag Rotuạm," said Minister Sio.
"With only approximately 2,000 speakers on the islands of Rotuma, to nurture the Rotuman identity in Aotearoa, everyone must work together to revitalise and maintain Fäeag Rotuạm."
Watch Minister Sio's acknowledgement video above, as he officially launches Gasav Ne Fäeag Rotuạm Ta - Rotuman Language Week - for 2022.
Activities and events for Rotuman Language Week will be held throughout Aotearoa and online to showcase the richness of the Rotuman language, culture and traditions.
Stay connected online by visiting the official NZ Rotuman Language Week Facebook page.
See below for some of the events happening around Aotearoa to celebrate Rotuman Language Week.
Email signature - 700x100 px (PNG) - Download
Rotuman Language Card - 6 pages, 712kb (PDF) - Download
Rotuman Language Week Theme 2022:
Sustaining our Language and Culture - Vetḁkia ‘os Fäega ma Ag fak hanua - (MP3) - Download
Simple greetings and phrases:
Hello - Noa'ia (MP3) - Download
Goodbye - Fu’omus ma ạlạlum (MP3) - Download
Thank you - Fạiåkse’ea ‘e garue (MP3) - Download
Others:
Spiritual - Fak'ata (MP3) - Download
Physical - Fakforo (MP3) - Download
Psychological - 'Os a’häe (MP3) - Download
Relationship with people - Hạikạnagaga (MP3) - Download
A thatched shelter or house - Ri fak Rotuma (MP3) - Download
Square Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1080x1080 px (PNG) - Download
Blank Square Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1080x1080 px (PNG) - Download
Rectangular Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1200x628 px (PNG) - Download
Blank Rectangular Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1200x628 px (PNG) - Download
Instagram story Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1920x1080 px (PNG) - Download
Blank Instagram story Rotuman Language Week 2022 tile - 1920x1080 px (PNG) - Download
One file containing all resources, including:
(28.5 MB Zip file) - Download
Below are recipients of funding for community contributions towards Rotuman Language Week preparations in 2021:
|
Organisation / Group Name |
Location |
Approved amount |
Initiative theme |
|
Rotuman Kainaga Health and Fitness Group |
Auckland |
$1,900.00 |
Language week: language learning through health and fitness activities |
|
New Zealand Rotuman Fellowship (NZRF) |
Auckland |
$35,087.00 |
Language week: Language learning through cultural performances and activities |
|
Canterbury Rotuman Community |
Canterbury |
$1,550.00 |
Language week: Language learning through storytelling and sports activities |
|
HATA Committee |
Auckland |
$7,832.25 |
Language week: Language learning through storytelling and studying Rotuman artifacts and historical resources |
|
Rotuman Wesleyan Church |
Auckland |
$1,500.00 |
Language week: Language learning through music activities |
|
Victoria University Pasifika Student Council |
Wellington |
$900.00 |
Language week: Rotuma related quiz and cultural performances |
The Language Champion Honours is a new initiative which was introduced as part of the Pacific Language Weeks series 2021 and will be run every two years.
The To’a Awards recognise our language advocates from the Rotuman community who have been acknowledged as role models for language revitalisation and preservation of Fäeag Rotuḁm in Aotearoa.
2021 Recipients:
Le' Haharągit (Youth) - Tieri Carswell
