Waiwhatu Project gifts new geothermal words to the Maori language
These Maori university students tested the new geothermal words out in Iceland while attending the Reykjavik University engineering graduate school in 2022. (source: Corey Ruha)
Carlo Cariaga
9 Aug 2023
The Waiwhatu Project has created new Maori language words related to geothermal activity, bridging the gap between western science and Maori concepts.
A Te Reo Maori project to create new Maori language words around geothermal activity has resulted in new words, and existing words being expanded.
Bridging the gap
The new words from the Waiwhatu Project identify and translate key concepts, words, and phrases so people can communicate geothermal concepts about geothermal energy. The Waiwhatu Project comes from Geothermal Next Generation, an MBIE research programme led by Dr Isabelle Chambefort from GNS Science. Waiwhatu Project team members are te reo linguist Uenuku Fairhall, geothermal expert Andy Blair, geothermal geologist Dr Paul Siratovich, taiao researcher Corey Ruha and Upflow Consultant Aroha Campbell QSM.
Aroha says the new words were created through lots of talking, laughter, and stories. “We came up with six words to bridge the gap between western science and te reo Maori.”
She says concepts aren’t easily aligned to the natural knowledge systems of matauranga (knowledge). Similarly, scientists find it hard to understand and relate to Maori concepts and thinking. “It’s not for everyone, ke ti pai, it’s about changing mindset,” Aroha says.
Iconic yet efficient language
In 2022, Corey and five other Maori students travelled to Iceland to attend the summer university. Along with their studies, one of their missions was to test the words out in another culture, after all existing geothermal terms come from other languages such as ‘lahar’ from Javanese, ‘pahoehoe’ and ‘a’a’ from Hawai’ian, geyser from Icelandic ‘geysir’ and lava from Italian.
The group had a varying range of te reo proficiency and Aroha says the idea was to socialise the words. When they had down time, the group would meet and discuss the words, and in the end they agreed the words are ok.
Ground rules were laid down for dealing with the challenge of inventing scientific words in te reo. Uenuku says they set out to find an iconic word, and then to make it useable and efficient. For instance the word ‘enthalpy’ is related to the term latent energy, so the starting point was the base word of ‘ngao’ for energy, and then adding the suffix ‘hu’ which can mean many things but also means ‘latent’.
Uenuku says students coming through Kura kaupapa Maori schools will see the word ngaohu and recognise what has been done. He says the word is achieved ‘with a little bit of support’. Stages two and three of the Waiwhatu Project will see the words socialised and introduced to the next generation.
The six words are:
- Tokarewa, meaning magma
- Rangitoto, meaning lava
- Waiwhatu, meaning geothermal fluid
- Mapuna, meaning reservoir
- Ngaohu, meaning enthalpy
- Kuwhewhewhewhe, meaning wrinkling
Geology PhD student Keiha Nicol presented the new words at NZ Geothermal Week 2023, and ultimately the words will be submitted to the Maori dictionary. For more information about the Waiwhatu Project, click here.
Source: Email correspondence
