Saving the Samoan language starts with a simple mindset shift, former New Zealand Rugby Sevens player Jason Tiatia said, as new census data shows the language is under pressure among Samoans in New Zealand.
Jason Tiatia said that one of the biggest lessons about the language came not from a classroom, but from his time of professional rugby in France and Italy.
The former sevens player said Samoans in both countries continued speaking their own language in everyday life, even when talking to foreigners.
“I thought, how arrogant,” Tiatia told Pacific Huddle.
“But then, no, you're arrogant with the ego that you have. It's their country.”
