Niue language board investigates potential ‘scam’ of phrasebook

An unauthorised and what is described as an inaccurate Niuean language phrasebook, selling on Amazon has triggered a formal investigation by the Niue Language Commission and Crown Law, prompting warnings to language learners over “opportunistic” resources.

The publication, Niuean to English Phrasebook - Everyday Common Words and Phrases by Phoenix Sun Publishing, is marketed globally as a “a practical language guide containing essential phrases”.

However, Niuean language and cultural educators say the text misrepresents Vagahau Niue.

Reverend Dr Matagi Jessop Vilitama, Chairman of the Niue Language Commission, confirmed with PMN Niue that the government body has escalated the matter to legalise authorities to protect the integrity of Vagahau Niue.

“I have been working with the Crown Law to investigate this particular issue,” Reverend Vilitama says.

“And they have found that this book is a scam.”

Amazon Australia, which delivers to Aotearoa New Zealand, has priced the book at AUD $19.41 (NZD $23.73).

The potential scam came about after the book was purchased in Australia by a Vagahau Niue learner who sent photos of some of the contents to her tutor, Inangaro Vakaafi.

Vakaafi then shared the photos to her social media and that’s where the chairman picked up on the issue and re-shared it to his facebook page.

Watch Reverend Dr Matagi Jessop Vilitama's full interview below.

Reverend Vilitama noted that initial observations of the phrasebook point to a worrying trend in automated publishing.

"We found a very alarming thing happening on the AI front there,” he says.

Vakaafi told PMN News the phrasebook’s distribution raises concerns around opportunistic and misleading resources.

“This book does not appear to have any basic Vagahau Niue in it, it’s all jumbled up with Tongan and other Pacific languages,” she says.

She warns that unverified books actively damage revitalisation efforts.

“If anything it has sparked conversation and I guess it’s for our community to be aware that there are some resources out there that are misleading.”

Comments under Inangaro Vakaafi's Facebook post about the Niue to English Phrasebook. Photo/PMN News

Vakaafi says she didn’t expect her post to garner such strong reaction and for the issue to escalate to the governmental and legal level as quickly as it did.

“We have a right to protect our language,” she says.

The commercialisation of inaccurate resources comes at a critical time for the endangered language.

Reverend Vilitama says recent data highlights a sharp decline in proficient speakers, with literacy and fluency rates dropping from historical highs of 80 per cent to 69 per cent.

The content of the Niue to English Phrasebook is described as innacurate and misleading. Photo/Inangaro Vakaafi

Learners are advised to use official materials approved by the Commission, which oversees language instruction under the Vagahau Niue Act 2012.

"The integrity of the Vagahau is utmost important, that we don't just share whatever that comes to mind - the spelling, the grammar. We need to make sure that it is right,” he says.

“Our role as the Commission of Vagahau Niue is to ensure that what we share with our community is the correct Vagahau Niue. That's the goal."

As the Commission lobbies for government revitalisation funding, Reverend VIlitama cautions the community to stay alert regarding online publications.