A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
We take our alphabet a bit for granted. These are the symbols we use to make records of our language, our history, our government, our family, our lives.
But there is no letter V in the Maori alphabet because when their language first became written it was based on the sounds its spoken form created and the Maori language omits several sounds that we take for granted.
There is no B C D F J L Q S V X Y Z.
A 'WH' sounds as letter 'F'.
So when you see rugby players with a sir-name containing the letters F or L they are most likely not of Maori origin, despite being in the All Blacks and playing for New Zealand. Even though, to a non New Zealander, they may look very like Maori, physically, they are probably from one of the other Pacific Islands.
Just saying....
Wow, that is interesting!! Never knew (or thought about) all this till I came across your post. Thanks for making me think of and want to explore something new.
ReplyDeleteI never knew that. It's amazing what I've learnt during this month of A to Z posts.
ReplyDelete