Due to Samoa's widespread use of English, it is how many Samoans interact with one another. Beginning in the early to mid 1960s, many Samoan people learned English through watching television (Wallace). Both educational and recreational programming was televised to promote English learning. Today, English is often accepted by both older and younger people. With the implementation of teaching English in Samoan schools, many citizens are bilingual. In terms of implications, English serves as a valuable common denominator that allows Samoans to communicate with surrounding areas. English can serve as a lingua franca for Pacific Islanders who are communicating with each other.
Photo of Samoan students taking a language exam. Photo credit to former Peace Corp Volunteer, "Matt" at www.diplomatt.org
Samoan & English
Courtesy of Hannacho Lutu Lei-Sam
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The Samoan language has a large number of loanwords. A small part of them come from other Oceanic languages, French, and German. The largest number of loanwords entered Samoan from English. Literary Samoan has 13 consonants and 10 vowels.
A few words borrowed from English:
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Some Samoan language basics:
Video credit to Lloyd Togisala, 2013
Use of English
While English is widely used throughout Samoa, not all Samoans are in favor the continued use of English. In a case study of language policy, Elaine Lameta concluded, "While there is no explicit legislation defining the official status of languages in Samoa, that status is implicit in Samoa's constitution, where Samoan and English are given official recognition with reference to three aspects: right to a fair trial (Section 9), languages of the legislative assembly (Section 54), and authoritative texts (Section 112). Further evidence of the implicit official languages policy is found in the bilingual policy in education, and the numerous domains, such as formal ceremonies, the judiciary and the media, where the two languages are used to convey the same message." It can be noted that the use of English is often done in tandem with the use of Samoan.
Many parents want their children to learn English because it is so widely used in Samoa and abroad. The Samoa Observer (local newspaper) published an article in 2016 in reference to the way in which certain schools promoted the celebration of English. Maluafou College in Samoa celebrated a themed English Day in April, 2016. The article noted,
Many parents want their children to learn English because it is so widely used in Samoa and abroad. The Samoa Observer (local newspaper) published an article in 2016 in reference to the way in which certain schools promoted the celebration of English. Maluafou College in Samoa celebrated a themed English Day in April, 2016. The article noted,
"With the theme of the day being 'English Bridges Gaps,' Principal, Lasi Tavae, said the main purpose of the event is to encourage the students to speak English and to remind them that English is the key to success.' English is the language of globalisation,' she said. 'It opens more opportunities and doors for you. Being able to speak English allows you to communicate effectively with people from other countries or when you travel outside of Samoa.'"
The below photo depicts a Samoan creative dance that occurred at Maluafou College on "English Day 2016."
Photo credit to The Samoa Observer
Learning in schools: Samoan? English? or Both?
While many Samoans have eagerly learned and embraced English over the past few decades, others have been less receptive. In April of 2017, the Samoan Observer (newspaper) conducted a survey amongst a small group of Samoan parents. It was met with mixed responses. Some of the parents in more rural parts of the islands did not embrace English as rapidly as those in more urban areas.
Here are two statements in support of English:
Here are two statements against English:
Here are two statements in support of English:
- "To me personally, I prefer that my kids be taught in both Samoan and English. For all we know, life is moving forward and the way I see it, you can’t get a job if you don’t know both languages." -Asenati Tupa (age 42)
- "We are Samoan and we know the Samoan language better. It’s time to teach the kids to learn English because life is moving forward and we are all adapting to the fa’apalagi life. So in the next three years, every school in Samoa will be teaching and learning English. So my three kids are encouraged to learn both." -Seti Afamasaga (age 27)
Here are two statements against English:
- "Honestly I don’t want my kids to learn the English language because I don’t want them to be living palagi lives. Once they learn the English language they will consider themselves palagi people and act in palagi ways. I won’t allow that to happen to them. -Tusitala Titiana (age 54)
- "I have three kids and they all go school. The fact that we live in Savai’i and we live in rural areas, my kids are not encouraged to learn English. I want them to learn our language and if they do know how to speak English, then that’s fine but I don’t encourage them because Samoa is our culture and they should be very mindful how important our language is to us all." -Afega Ali'imalumalu (age 54)
English in Action
In a 2010 60 Minutes report, it was determined that Samoa has sent more players to the National Football League (NFL) than any other country. Many of the Samoans who have played professional football are multilingual and speak English fluently. It serves as a necessary way to interact with teammates, coaches, and related professionals. Scott Pelley of CBS News reported that a male born to Samoan parents is fifty-six times more likely to make it to the NFL than any child born in the United States. |