Reo Mā'ohi: Language Renaissance

Tahitian and other Polynesian languages (Marquesan, Pa'umotu, Mangarevan, Rapa) faced near-extinction through French-only education policies. Recent decades witness remarkable revival.

"My grandparents were beaten for speaking Tahitian at school," recounts teacher Miriama Bono. "Now I teach in Tahitian. Revolution through education."

The 1980s cultural renaissance restored language pride: - Tahitian became mandatory school subject (1981) - Polynesian Languages Academy standardized orthography - Media broadcasts in local languages - Traditional names replace French toponyms

"Language carries worldview," explains linguist Dr. Mirose Paia. "Tahitian has no word for 'ownership' in Western sense—only guardianship. Reviving language means reviving values."

Yet challenges persist. French dominates commerce, administration, higher education. Code-switching creates hierarchies.

"I speak Tahitian at home, French at university, English for tourism," notes student Moana Ueva. "Each language opens different worlds but also creates barriers."

Youth increasingly blend languages. "We create new Tahitian incorporating French, English, even Japanese terms," explains rapper Toko. "Living languages evolve. Purity is death."