新西兰英语 176 Maori Language Week

　　This is Maori Language week, from July 27th to August 2nd. Every year, for the last 30 years, we have celebrated¹ Maori Language week. This is the time to learn Te Reo Maori. You can learn 100 Maori words from the website: www.koreromaori.co.nz
Maori is an official language in New Zealand. Some MPs use Maori when they speak in Parliament² so they need an interpreter. Government departments often translate English notices into Maori.
In the early 1970s, many Maori were worried that their language would die out. When the old people who could speak the language died, Maori were worried that nobody would be able to speak the language. They organized Kohango Reo – language nests – for small children to learn Maori from old people. Children and their parents have been learning³ Maori from the old people for the last 30 years.
We now have many Kohango Reo, some Maori language schools, Maori radio and Maori TV. But it is not all good news. It is hard to keep another language alive when most people speak English. This week is about using Maori in the community to keep the language alive.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 Parliament   

n.议会，国会

参考例句：

• She won a seat in Parliament at the election.她在选举中赢得了议会中的席位。
• The drug was banned by an act of parliament.议会的法案明令禁止该药品。

3 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。