Languages of New Zealand

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

KB United States-NoAltGr
National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand (49)
Error creating thumbnail:
2013 NZ census people who can use New Zealand Sign Language

== Languages of New Zealand ==

The languages of New Zealand reflect the country's cultural diversity and history. The primary languages spoken in New Zealand are English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). These three languages are recognized as official languages of New Zealand.

English[edit | edit source]

English is the predominant language spoken in New Zealand. It is used in government, media, and education. New Zealand English has its own unique accent and vocabulary, influenced by both British and American English, as well as Māori.

Māori[edit | edit source]

Māori is the language of the indigenous Māori people of New Zealand. It is one of the official languages of New Zealand and has seen a revival in recent years through educational programs and media. The Māori Language Act 1987 granted it official status.

New Zealand Sign Language[edit | edit source]

New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand. It was granted official language status in 2006. NZSL incorporates signs from British Sign Language (BSL) and Australian Sign Language (Auslan), as well as unique signs developed in New Zealand.

Other Languages[edit | edit source]

New Zealand is home to a variety of other languages due to its multicultural population. These include Samoan, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese, and many others. The presence of these languages reflects the diverse immigrant communities in New Zealand.

Language Education[edit | edit source]

Language education in New Zealand includes the teaching of English, Māori, and other languages. There are numerous initiatives to promote the learning of Māori in schools, and NZSL is also taught in some educational institutions.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD