Te Wiki o te Reo Māori: The importance of vocabulary in language learning

As we approach Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, it's timely to reflect on the importance of vocabulary in learning and revitalising te reo Māori. Vocabulary is the foundation of any language, enabling us to express knowledge, ideas, emotions, connections, spirituality, and cultural concepts. Paul Nation, a renowned professor of linguistics and language acquisition from Victoria University of Wellington, emphasises that vocabulary acquisition is crucial for language proficiency. Without a strong vocabulary base, communication becomes limited and challenging.

Nation suggests that effective vocabulary learning involves both intentional study and extensive exposure to the language. For te reo Māori learners, this means dedicating time to study word lists, using flashcards, or engaging in focused learning activities, while also seeking opportunities to immerse oneself in the language through reading, listening, and conversation. Watching the Māori Television channel will provide you with lots of language exposure and is highly recommended. You will need to be proactive and surround yourself in whatever ways you can with te reo Māori. Sticky notes all over the wall is one way to achieve this. Using he kupu hou (new words) with your family, friends, acquaintances and colleagues is another way. Thinking of novel ways to bringing your target language to bear in your life can be fun and help your learning process. Being intentional is your key to progress. 

Flashcards are a particularly effective tool for vocabulary learning. They promote active recall, a process by which we retrieve information from memory. When you see a term and actively attempt to remember its meaning, you help transfer it from short-term to long-term memory. This technique not only aids in memorisation but also engages your metacognition—your awareness of your own thinking. As you use flashcards, you assess whether you need further review or if you’ve committed the term to memory based on your confidence in your answers. This process of reflecting on your learning as you go is in itself a way of assisting your progress.

Additionally, spaced repetition plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of flashcards. This memorisation technique involves reviewing more challenging flashcards frequently while setting aside those you feel you’ve mastered. This approach leverages self-awareness and helps optimise the learning process by focusing on areas where you need the most practice.

Additionally, Nation highlights the importance of repetition and recycling of words to ensure they move from short-term to long-term memory. For example, encountering a kupu hou in multiple contexts over time can help reinforce its meaning and usage.

Research suggests that to effectively move a kupu hou into long-term memory, it should be encountered at least seven times (depending on your own inclination to learn) in different contexts and formats. This repeated exposure helps reinforce the word’s meaning and usage, making it more likely to become a permanent part of your vocabulary. Spaced repetition is a technique that leverages this principle by encouraging frequent review of challenging terms while spacing out the review of terms you’ve already learned.

Another well-known strategy is to learn kupu hou through the technique of association. This involves connecting a new word with something already stored in your long-term memory. For example, if you are learning the word rākau (tree), you might associate it with a familiar tree in your garden. By linking the new word to a familiar image or concept, you create a mental connection that makes the new term easier to recall. This method enhances memory retention by anchoring new vocabulary to existing knowledge, thus facilitating a deeper understanding and easier recall. You might imagine a clown when learning the word hangareka meaning funny. The word hanga has similar syllables to hanging, so imagining a clown hanging upside down is funny. Imagining this helps fix the kupu hou into long term memory. There are many imaginative ways to learn kupu hou using this technique of association.

Knowing the different types of words—such as nouns, verbs, and adjectives—can also be particularly helpful. Categorising vocabulary into these types not only aids in understanding how words function in a sentence but also makes it easier to expand one’s language skills systematically. For example, focusing on nouns first can help you to build a strong foundation of basic vocabulary, while mastering verbs and modifiers such as adjectives enables more expressive and nuanced communication.

Incorporating vocabulary learning into daily routines, such as labelling household items in te reo Māori or setting a daily goal to learn and use new words, can significantly enhance language acquisition. Someone that I knew placed little stickie notes all over the dashboard of his car, each with a kupu hou and a brief translation. He changed them as he learnt them. By prioritising vocabulary, we not only enhance our ability to communicate but also deepen our connection to te ao Māori.

As we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, let’s commit to expanding our vocabulary and encouraging others to do the same. Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu—Although it is small, it is precious.

This whakataukī reminds us that even small contributions can be invaluable. Every word we learn, every phrase we share, strengthens the presence and future of te reo Māori. Together, we all play a role in the well-being of te reo and keeping our taonga, the Māori language, alive as well as developing our Tiriti relationship on our language journey. The power is with us to make the journey fun and enjoyable - we just have to remember to be active in our learning.

Nā reira, kia kaha, kia manawanui, kia ū ki te mau i ngā kupu hou.