Abstract:

The current situation with the Maori language deserves our special attention due to its exceptionality and non-triviality. Nowadays this indigenous language, also known as Te Reo Maori, is the second official language in New Zealand, being declared as such in the Maori language Act in 1987.

The word "Maori" means "common," though it is far from that description now. Te Reo Maori was spared from extinction by many rescue measures and miraculously remained afloat, however, today only 14% of Maori population can use it as the mother-tongue, and 41% of its adult representatives do not understand their "native" language at all, giving their preference to English. It is estimated from 100 to 150 thousand native speakers, although no more than 10 thousand people can speak it well.

The present research is dedicated to the extreme necessity to evaluate the prospects of the Maori language development and its perspectives of the revival.

In the XIX century, Te Reo Maori was the primary language of New Zealand inhabitants. Nevertheless, with the appearance of English, its usage was increasingly confined, and consequently, by the middle of the 20th century, the fears of the language extinction became ominously plausible. A particular method of "language nest" proved its effectiveness and made the Maori revival possible, but it is not enough. The strong influence of English, prevailing in all spheres in New Zealand, provokes the destruction of the minority language. Moreover, the interpenetration of Maori and English is creating the new version of English which seize the population by its ease and practicality.

Six hundred respondents took part in the online sociological survey. It showed that 78% of students with incomplete higher education believe in the need to study widely spoken languages. They do not understand the demand to preserve minority languages in a globalized world, especially the Maori language to be expressed only by the small community on the edge of the world.

17 % of respondents agreed that it is necessary to save and revive the language of the national minority as it reflects the history of its people, culture, and heritage. This category of students was proactive offering the creation of a unique website to find representatives of rare languages who would teach people around the globe and the community to deal with the issues of endangered languages. Also, they noted the wish to learn Te Reo Maori. 5 % were not interested in the matter of dying languages and haven't heard of the Maori language at all.

Such results, unfortunately, indicate a deficient level of motivation for the younger generation to support small languages and linguistic diversity due to the lack of understanding and awareness of their need. Students noted the uselessness of studying efforts in terms of the expectation of high returns.

To cope with the threat of the Maori language disappearance and improve its prospects in the long term, the author proposes to consider such methods as:
1. Education of the population, especially the younger generation, in need to preserve the language of ancestors.
2. Native language training for teachers.
3. Holding old youth rallies of native speakers of this language and culture.
4. Financial support for radio, television, periodicals and books in Maori.
5. Governmental support programs.

Keywords:

Indigenous languages, Te Reo Maori, revival perspectives, methods of language nest, endangered languages, destruction of minority languages.