Let's learn Maori: A guide to the study of the Maori language

by Bruce Biggs

Let's Learn Maori was designed by Maori language expert Bruce Biggs in 1969. He covers the parts of speech, the structure of each type of phrase, and the combinations of phrases that form simple sentences. Each aspect of the grammar is discussed in a numbered section or subsection and illustrated by sentence examples. A combined vocabulary and index provides an ingenious and convenient reference system. There is also a section on pronunciation, but the student is warned that a written explanation is no substitute for the actual sounds spoken by native speakers of the language.

Genres: Language, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Celia]

Not giving it a star rating, because I only sped read it for a assignment. Overall interesting, some parts could have been further explained. Good intro to the language

[Robbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the introduction to this book it says: "The set of cassettes specially planned to accompany this... should be used if at all possible". I didn't see any tapes with this edition, and that is one of my main complaints about this book, is it feels out of date. There are no macrons in this book, although weirdly Bruce mentions macrons at one point in the book. Having no macrons makes it harder to learn as all the words look different to what I normally expect. However in one or two specific examples, having no macrons makes it easier to see what is going on with the language, however these are few, and generally no macrons (and thus double vowels) make it harder to read.
The book was first published in 1969, so I guess no macrons then was the norm, but given there has been reprints since then (my version was from 2010), it's under to understand why the macros haven't been added, and the mention of cassettes in the introduction removed.

All that said the book is helpful, and probably needs to be read a few times & then used as a reference. It gets very technical towards the end of the book.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone learning te reo Māori, I have found this book very good as a reference to refer to during my studies when I am struggling to comprehend how a phrasing is used or put together. It can feel a bit intense and dry, but it has added a depth to my understanding and knowledge that I am grateful for. It is very grammatically based, and structured if that is your jam. It is also very much of its time, and should be read as such.

[Zeena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it would have been better with the CD

Prett good though, learned a lot