The Minister of Education has called for a full transition from the English language to Samoan in schools, organisations and Government ministries.

Seuula Ioane Tua’au – who is the Minister for Education, Sports and Culture – made the appeal in his opening remarks before officially opening the Samoan language week on Monday at the M.E.S.C. cultural museum in Malifa.

He said he feared that if the Samoan language went through various changes brought about by the evolution of technology, not only would the language be affected but also Samoan culture and heritage.

“The Samoan language has officially been recognised as the language of the Samoan people,” said Seuula. “Many experts and theories have proven that the Samoan language was brought into Samoa back in the days by people who first settled in Samoa.

"However, the Ministry (Ministry of Education Sports and Culture) is of the belief that the Samoan language is Samoa’s gift from God. It was the gift God gave Samoa to make their identity and if that’s our identity, we must do something to ensure this identity stays alive.

“In case we forget the many changes brought forth by a changing world which has tarnished our language, the changes brought both the good things as well as the bad that destroyed our identity and that is our language.

“The Samoan language is one of the main sources of life for our culture. Without our language, we cannot describe our culture. If our language fades, so is our culture and if our culture is gone too, our country will live hopelessly.

“This will also mean there will be no respect, the boundaries will be tarnished, as well as harmony between each other, and Samoa will live hopelessly without the boundary that protected us."

The Minister then recommended that the establishment of a Samoan language commission would strengthen a national language policy, which would place an emphasis on the use of the Samoan language in official documentation, or notices within Government ministries unless it’s for the purpose of sending them overseas for non-Samoan speakers.

He also called for the prioritising of Samoan language use in subjects and courses being taught in schools through oral presentations as well as examinations (both oral and written) in order for the switch from English to Samoan.

“There should also be guides and constitutions to regulate the use of the Samoan language in schools and development works to strengthen the language,” Seuula added. “We should also work together within villages to create and promote ways to prioritise the language out in the villages.

“If the Samoan language is alive then will certainly be our culture and if our language and culture both fade, then we will feel sorry for the next generation to come.”

Seuula urged the country to make use of this language week to commemorate and embrace the Samoan language as their national treasure.

The Samoan Language Week is celebrated annually not only in Samoa but also by Samoans in overseas countries through various activities such as Samoan entertainment, sports, and other activities.