PNG Language Week: Diaspora embracing milestone achievement

Papua New Guineans in Aotearoa have been reflecting on the sense of community and shared values fostered this week in honour of their language and culture.

The inaugural celebrations of the Papua Niugini Tok Pisin - PNG Language Week - began last Sunday and will end this weekend.

PNG's diagonally divided red-black national flag features a yellow bird-of-paradise and the Southern Cross constellation. Photo/Britannica

Community leader Emmanuel Simon says they are using the weeklong event to encourage more Papua New Guineans to join their fellow wantoks recognise their heritage.

He told William Terite on Pacific Mornings that the community should be proud of its unique culture.

Simon, who hails from the Highlands in Chimbu Province, says he speaks Pidgin.

But there are over 800 languages across PNG, he adds.

Located some 4900 kilometres north of New Zealand, PNG has a population of about 10 million - the second-highest in Oceania behind Australia.

Just over 1000 people from PNG live in Aotearoa, according to StatsNZ.

"Papua New Guinea is a very diverse country. If not, they are the only diverse country on earth in terms of its culture, people, and traditions, and it's a beautiful country," Simon said.

"One of the things that makes it very diverse and beautiful is our language. I understand that most people know that Papua New Guinea has quite a lot of languages apart from Pidgin and English.

"So, me growing up back in Papua New Guinea and my language that I spoke is English and Pidgin, which we are celebrating, and my native language."

Simon says PNG has three official languages: Pidgin, English, and Motu.

The PNG flag is raised at Tai o Fenua Kindergarten in Tauranga. At right is Emmanuel Simon, who hails from the Highlands. Photos/supplied

But he adds people in different parts of the country speak other languages.

"It's totalling up to about 850 plus. So, it's quite a lot of languages. But the main language that we speak is Pidgin."

Growing up, Simon said he spoke Pidgin, English, and his native language.

"So when I come here, we always speak English. I've been here for almost three years now. And when I bump into a Papua New Guinean, I try to communicate with them in Pidgin.

"It's a beautiful language that really connects us."

There are now 11 Pacific language weeks celebrated in Aotearoa since its inception 13 years ago.

From May to November, the NZ Language Series also focuses on Rotuma, Sāmoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Fiji, Niue, Tokelau, and the debutants, the Solomon Islands.

Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti encourages everyone to participate in the Pacific Language Week celebrations.

“Pacific languages play an important role in strengthening Pacific peoples’ sense of identity and belonging.

"This, in turn, increases their confidence, educational outcomes, employability, and ability to make strong contributions to their communities and New Zealand.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the Pacific Language Week celebrations; they’re a great way to embrace the diversity of New Zealand communities,” Reti says.

Simon says PNG people are embracing the historic event across Aotearoa.

He adds that he is grateful to Paul Titus and his team for their work behind the scenes in getting PNG on the NZ language series.

"Our people are embracing their language week with everything that they have. They're loving it.

"Although it's the first time, we are not celebrating only Pidgin, but we are celebrating our culture. Language is one of the identities that any country should be proud to speak if they have this language week.

"I want to give credit to Paul Titus and the team who are working behind the scenes to bring this language week to fruition. They've been working for two or three years to have this language week in Aotearoa.

"Going forward, I would say that there's room for improvement. On promoting the event, it's the first time, and we need improvements. I think we can do better next year."

Next up on the NZ Language Series is the Solomon Islands, their first, from 24-30 November.