Located in the Pacific, the island of Tahiti is an Overseas Country of France (POM) with a population of 180,000. The indigenous language of Tahiti is an Austronesian language, Tahitian, mastered by most of the population though not used on a daily basis.

On the statutory level, Reo Maohi (Tahitian language) was declared an official language in the same way as French in 1984… yet French remains compulsory in the administration and all public services. Tahitian, on the other hand, stays behind with some 260 students and under 50 graduates.

In the beginning of June, the announcement that the Tahitian CAPES (the secondary school teaching qualification) was to be withdrawn had already sparked up strong dissatisfaction, and protests had taken place on June 15. Defenders of the language, led by the university of French Polynesia president Louise Peltzer and senior lecturer Vahi Sylvia Richaud, took their case before high commissioner Richard Didier.

More protests were organized over the same issue on June 25, led by a newly created movement called A Ti’a Mai No To Oe Reo (« Stand for your language »). The movement gathers three academies who have decided to bring their strength together for more efficiency: the Tahitian, Marquisian and Paumotu (Tuamotu Islands) academies.

The chancellors of the three academies eloquently addressed the 300 people that had come to show their attachment to Polynesian languages. Among the audience were teachers, representatives of cultural associations, that of the local Culture and Heritage Service, etc.

The gathering ended with the planting of a young uru (breadfruit tree), an important element of Polynesian culture.

Photo : Elsa Fernicle - Tahiti Press

Tahiti Press article

Tahitian language description sheet (in French)