28 Jan 2014

Samoan Language Commission to be created in Samoa

9:55 pm on 28 January 2014

A Samoan Language Commission is to be created in Samoa, with the purpose of protecting and preserving the language for future generations.

Our correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says the government last week passed a law that declares Samoan the official language of Samoa.

He says English has begun to dominate in Samoa, and the government said it was time to step in and form the Samoan Language Commission to ensure the survival of the mother tongue.

"From the education side of the issue, to find out how come the students in Samoa are [getting] very low marks in Samoan language. So they see there is a must now for the Samoan language, not only to be a surviving language, but also to be taught to the students and the children to speak the language. "

Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia says the Commission is important so young people can learn more about the Samoan language, and speak more of it.