USP Linguistics Language Matters in the Pacific seminar series. Topic: Pacific languages, cultures and new technologies Date/Time: Wednesday 11 March 4pm to 5.30pm Fiji time Zoom link: https://usp-fj.zoom.us/j/86831464410?pwd=AJTQi8yn20bxYYXXUtm3aa7cKDVMv6.1 Password: rBWr6#Zv? Panellists 1. Ms Heiura Itae-Tetaa, Founder and CEO, E-Reo 2. Dr Akevai Nicholas, Senior Lecturer Māori and Pacific Studies, University of Auckland 3. Mr Steven Renata, Managing Director, Kiwa Digital 4. Ms Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson, Co-founder, Pacific Kids Learning Abstract The 2026 series of the ‘Language Matters in the Pacific’ webinars begins with a double bill on language technology. In the first webinar, four panellists from across the region will share their experiences of working in this space. The session will begin with a brief demo from each participant of the tool(s) or platform(s) they have developed, before the moderator will lead a talanoa around regional developments in language technology. The discussion will focus on affordances of new technologies in keeping communities connected, supporting the sustainability of Pacific languages, and providing solutions to real-world challenges such as language learning, literacy development, translation, dubbing, speech recognition, dictionary creation and data management. It will centre the need for Pacific-led approaches to language technology that enable communities to participate in this space on their own terms. Panellists will highlight the creation of jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities in this sector, and how this is balanced against more critical concerns about the commercialisation or commodification of language and culture. The session will also touch on issues of data sovereignty, intellectual property and security although these topics will be the main focus of the second webinar.

USP Linguistics’ first Language Matters in the Pacific seminar for the semester is on today (Wed 11 March), 4pm Fiji time (UTC+12). In this seminar we will hear from panellists working in the language technology space in the Pacific. All welcome! #PacificLanguages #linguistics #oceania #moana

PEOPLE | A lifelong mission: Keeping her language alive Distinguished Niuean educator Mele Fakatali Nemaia is "retired" and back in Niue after decades of service to Niue language and culture in Aotearoa.

In The Fiji Times today:
Niuean educator Mele Fakatali Nemaia talks about her latest book, Niue, part of Oratia Books' Moana Oceania Series.
www.fijitimes.com.fj/people-a-lif...

#Niue #MoanaOceania #OratiaBooks #Pacificlanguages @etangata.bsky.social

'Vagahau Niue is in me': Educator's lifelong mission to keep her language alive Niue community organiser and educator Mele Fakatali Nemaia publishes a book in time for Niue Language Week.

Article about distinguished Niuean educator Mele Fakatali Nemaia , author of Moana Oceania: Niue, on RNZ: www.rnz.co.nz/internationa...

#moanaoceania #oratiabooks #niue #pacificlanguages #pacificpeople @etangata.bsky.social @nationallibrarynz.bsky.social #pacificculture #polynesia

Language matters in the Pacific seminar series. The language challenge in global climate frameworks. Zoom link: https://usp-fj.zoom.us/j/84690175781?pwd=aLPxJazD724jstAVlvudeDlUtO8ah8.1 Passcode: F4eW!hG8a Panellists: Ms Coral Pasisi (Director of Climate Change and Sustainability, SPC. Salā Dr. George Carter, Deputy Head of Department of Pacific Affairs and Director of Pacific Institute, ANU. Ms Patricia Mallam (Knowledge Broker, Intra-ACP ClimSA. Mr Siosiua Veikune (Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change). Dr Zina Bird (Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainable Futures, USP). Moderator: Dr Tolu Muliaina (Centre for Sustainable Futures, USP). Abstract: This panel will discuss why language matters in global climate frameworks, especially when ensuring that there is a meaningful connection between global conversations and local realities. In light of annual climate negotiations (COP) and forthcoming advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on state responsibilities regarding climate change, questions are often raised about what actually happens in these high-level spaces and how sending delegations overseas benefits the communities who are experiencing climate change impacts on the ground. This panel discussion will consider how high-level discourse is intended to translate into action; how minor adjustments to policy wording can have material impacts on the level of ambition and buy-in from different actors; whether some groups are starting on an uneven playing field if international outcomes are negotiated through languages such as English; and how the stories told by and about Pacific communities impact the climate conversations. These questions will be considered by panellists from across the region who have first-hand experience both attending high-level international events and working more locally to engage with their own communities.

The first Language matters in the Pacific seminar of the year is on next week (Wed 9 Apr), 4pm Fiji Time/2pm AEST. The expert panel will be discussing ‘the language challenge in global climate frameworks’ #UniSouthPacific #PacificLanguages #linguistics All welcome, link: bit.ly/USPLing

The digital catalogue link: static1.squarespace.com/static/60b84...

#pasifikabooks #oratiabooks @nzsa.bsky.social @nzsauthorswgtn.bsky.social @lianza.bsky.social
@etangata.bsky.social @kiwikidsbookstore.bsky.social #pacificlanguages