Evolving Languages and Behaviors!

Written by Seuamuli Des Bentin
Wednesday, 09 April 2008
Not long after I arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in the early ‘70s, I asked a Kiwi student in my high school History class if she had a rubber. She looked me straight in the eye and informed me in a very matter-of-fact tone that she did not but that she could lend me an eraser. It was a life changing moment that put a stutter in my worldly-wise teenage swagger. Since there wasn’t even an accompanying nudge, nudge, wink, wink, lecherous chuckle or knowing look, I later looked upon the incident not so much as a case of being reminded of my naivety in the English language, but as my first encounter with Political Correctness. What we had used to vigorously rub out mistakes in our exercise books with from Primary School to College and knew only as a rubber had changed its name in preparation for a sexually active university life, if one was so inclined or at least eternally hopeful, when an eraser went in the pencil case and a rubber went in the wallet. There were many more examples of how words from the English language as I knew it in Samoa turned out to mean something totally different in the class rooms, public bars and factory floors from Blenheim to the Bluff. And that was before the ‘hoods became homes for Afro-American imitations both in dress and language. Evolving languages continue to make it a struggle for Pacific Islanders with less than a Year 9 pass in English to communicate effectively in English speaking countries like Australia and New Zealand. It can be confusing and could lead to problems. I spent a lot of time diffusing potentially explosive situations in hotel bars that developed from a simple case of a PI mate having a different take on a word used in a joke or comment. When Auckland Blues rugby coach David Nucifora lamented his team’s turnaround in fortunes after very impressive performances in the first three rounds of the Super 14 competition, he said that they had lost their ruthlessness and killer instinct, or words to that effect. Watching them muddle through their Super 14 match on Friday night, I thought that it was because they had taken the mongrel out of Troy Flavell’s game and tamed it. The continuing man made evolution of the game of rugby with the tinkers and tailors hoping for a miracle mix of skill, speed, athleticism and brute strength without blood, started with the international search for rugby playing gentlemen. Those who were great players but were hardly gentlemen both on and off the field had to undergo a crash course in the art of being civilized. Tana Umaga topped the class in personal transformation from late night drunk to All Blacks captain and leader and world class mid-field back. Others have struggled with the expectations of unfamiliar territory and their game has suffered. What to do? No such dilemmas with my decision to bring the mongrel back to my part of my traditional village in terms of how people interacted with us. After more than twenty years away, I came back to find that some people had successfully tamed the mongrel that used to roam un-tethered just beneath the outward civilized appearance that was part of the make-up and history of my village. Over the past eight years, I have noticed that the process of civilizing the unpredictability out of the village youth had also allowed outsiders to behave with impunity on village land which they wouldn’t have dared to in years gone by. I think the idea is to resolve differences through dialogue and peaceful means. This is highly commendable and should be encouraged. However, I think there are some who see this as a sign of weakness and will trample on our rights given the chance. Years ago, my brother Fini was the first to call Magiagi, Texas. The name stuck and for many years people thought twice before messing with the Texans. Before the mongrel was tamed and caged, the name commanded respect. I want the mongrel back to restore and protect respect and its place in our village and society. Have a nice one folks! Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed malo Seuamuli written by samalo, April 13, 2008 E a pe a faamatala mai le tala foi lea i le tamaloa na maua lana gaoiga aufai i le togafai o le tamaloa Texas? Lea na faamuamua mai luma lana solofanua ma le uta fai ae fafa mai e le gaoi le tamaloa e anaia le togafai? Pei e manaia si tala lena e tele lona aoaoga lol!! Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 April 2008 )

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