"Ia manuia le vaiaso mo le fa'atāuaina o le Gagana Samoa", which translates as may the week for the importance of the Samoan language go well.
It started on June 1st, which is incidentally my mum's birthday, and we have been celebrating ever since.
The Samoan language is the third most spoken language in Aotearoa, New Zealand, with English being the primary language of communication, followed by te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, and then the Samoan language.
The theme of this year's Samoan language week is "Ia malu lou sā, Folau i lagimā". There are many interpretations of this saying, with the publicised version suggesting that a well-grounded self is a successful self. However, I read it as 'may you (in your travels) be protected, travel with clear skies,' which is a more literal translation relating to when early Samoans used to travel about in va'a or outrigger canoeing vessels.
This year, I thought to take it easy and concentrate on some books and studies that I'm currently working on. There are many aiga or families, schools, organisations, and individuals who are celebrating the week in different ways...
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