New Zealander vs Kiwi
Below is a copy of my challenge to Prime Minister Luxon. With
regard to his excessive use of the term Kiwis when referring to New Zealanders
in his recent State of the Nation speech. In the speech there were ten instances
of the word Kiwis. Scattered through the speech there were five instances of
the preferred and proper term New Zealanders. My point is that in any formal
setting such as his speech Mr Luxon ought to show respect to all New Zealanders
at all times by not using slang terms and colloquialisms.
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State of the Nation
Subject Matter – Adjectivals and Demonyms.
The basic issue is actually the use, abuse and misuse of the terms
“Kiwi” and “Kiwis”. Later on allied to that issue of course is use of the word
Aotearoa.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s “State of the Nation” speech
delivered on 19th January. There are ten instances of “Kiwis” and
two of “Kiwi”. In comparison there were five instances of “New Zealanders” and
three of “New Zealander”. The point to be made here is that the term New
Zealander must be the
preferred and more formal term to replace the word Kiwi. After all the speech
was a formal set piece and is widely regarded as such. There should be no room
for the informality of colloquialisms, diminutives or slang terms. It might
sound unkind to the speechwriter/s but it was rather sloppy work. Question:
Does Mr Luxon do any editing of his own?
Some points might be allowed to the speechwriter/s for showing
some respect and using elsewhere in the speech the proper name New Zealand as a
title or descriptive. Point here is the Aotearoa trap was thankfully avoided.
Adjectivals and Demonyms. That is a rather snobby language and grammar
term but we have to delve into the subject occasionally. If we compare
countries we cannot find any using obscure avian or non-human terms to formally
indicate the country of origin e.g. Australia : Australians. Canada :
Canadians. Scotland : Scots. It is a very long list. Would we ever refer to our
Australian friends as Kangaroos or Emus? Even if the Australian coat of arms
depicts a Kangaroo and an Emu.
Final point. My simple case is to ask for all Politicians to
provide a lead to all New Zealanders. That is eliminate all use of the term
Kiwi as a national identifier and respectfully refer to all of us at all times,
at all levels as New Zealanders. Following on from that we would expect to see
an end to the A word (Aotearoa).
Updates: TV1 News 21st Jan. Christopher Luxon’s item
announcing the election date; one reference to Kiwis. Chris Hipkins item; one
reference to Kiwis, but redeemed himself slightly later in the item by
referring to New Zealand and New Zealanders.
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