In a recent article i read about multi language signage on floatation devices, and how if they were in Pacific or Asian languages then the rate of drownings per year would be considerably reduced, i thought what about smoke packaging?
At the moment smoke packaging is translated in Maori but my question is, how many Maori actually know what the packaging says without reading the english translation, and how effective is the bi-cultural message being whacked on ciggarette packets. If this was an initiative say over twenty to thirty years ago then i would understand the effectiveness of the initiative however it seems that this initiative is outdated.
I do understand that we live in a "bi-cultural" country but i still feel that until the levels of fluency and proud Maori speakers are higher in New Zealand then NEGATIVE Maori messages should be kept to minimum and more positive translations should be brouhgt to the forefront instead of many New Zealanders who do smoke considering all things in Maori to be negative.
Slight exaggeration but most people associate things they see with things they hear so that means that if their mainly exposed to negative Maori translations that would be their first thought when hearing Maori.
He aha ou whakaaro
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