新西兰英语 289 Samoan Language Week

　　Talofa
This week is Samoan Language Week. We need to remember that Samoan is the third most common language in New Zealand, after English and Maori.
A large number of Samoan people live in New Zealand. We have a census¹ every five years and the last census, in 2006, shows that 131,000 Samoans were part of our population of 4.2 million New Zealanders. 60% of these Samoans were born in New Zealand and many of these people cannot speak Samoan fluently. It is sad if they lose their language and their culture. That is one reason for Samoan language week. It’s also a good time to celebrate June 1st which is Independence Day, the day when Samoa became independent from New Zealand.
The census figures also show that many Samoans are young. The median age (the average) is 21 years but the median age for all New Zealanders is 36 years. 38% of Samoans are under 15. The percentage of all New Zealanders under 15 is 22%. Only 4% of Samoans are over 65 years old whereas² 12% of all New Zealanders are over 65. 67% of Samoans live in Auckland and 93% in the North Island. 35% live in extended families with grandparents but only 10% of all New Zealanders live in extended families.
Nearly all Samoans are Christians³. The church plays an important role in their culture.
Many have mixed marriages. They marry Europeans, other Pacific Islanders or Maori.
Listen to March 6th 2008 for more about mixed marriages.
MPs say that they will try to use Samoan language in Parliament this week. Some libraries, schools, polytechs and universities are celebrating Samoan Language Week with displays, language quizzes, talks and other activities. Rugby League players are also helping⁴ to celebrate Samoan Language week.
Questions
1. Is it important for all Samoans to be able to speak Samoan?
2. Is it hard to teach children Samoan when the mother and father speak different languages?
3. How important are Samoan pre-schools?
Listen for these numbers for Samoans and all New Zealanders:
Population in NZ
Born in NZ
Median age
Under 15
Over 65

1 census   

n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查

参考例句：

• A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。
• The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

2 whereas   

conj.而，却，反之

参考例句：

• They want a house,whereas we would rather live in a flat.他们想要一座房子，而我们宁愿住在一套房间里。
• Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。

3 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

4 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。