Language Preservation: The Rise of Māori-Language Picture Books in Aotearoa

Abstract

This paper presents an overview and analysis of Indigenous-language picture books in Aotearoa. The Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, underwent a long period of colonisation and experienced culture and language loss. Indigenous movements demanding human rights and revitalisation of the Māori language remained prevalent until the 1970s. Several scholars proclaim that literature in the Indigenous language is one avenue that effectively preserves language and suggest printing more than educational materials [1–3]. However, Māori attempts to increase Indigenouslanguage literature to safeguard their native tongues have been constrained by the limited number of language speakers and writers. Currently, Indigenous-language picture books are the primary Indigenous-language literature in Aotearoa. This paper analyses the history, authors and translators of Māori-language picture books, as well as the ethnic identity, language and subject of these books.