The influence of Samoan music on the Samoan language was discussed at the first Samoan Lyrical Workshop, hosted by the Samoan Language Commission yesterday.
The objective was to encourage a sense of responsibility among musicians to preserve the Samoa language and special language skills through music. Sini o le Faasoa: Ia faatupu atili le lagona o le tagata o le musika o lona tiute tauave i le faatāuaina o a tatou meaalofa ma tomai tau gagana.
Director Peseta Tialuga Seloti was assisted by ASCC-Samoan Studies Institute Instructors Tupaisiva Tamari Mulitalo-Cheung and Mago Faleosalafai Tipa in leading the workshop.
Participants included representatives from ASG, ASCC Samoan Studies, Samoan language instructor Pastor Esene, local musicians Tapaau Dr Dan Aga, Pati Pati Jr. and Ulale Ulale and V103’s Tala Nei News Director, Fuimaono Doug Tuigamala.
A substantial portion of the discussion was allotted to promoting the proper usage of Samoan language in the context of Samoan lyrics. There was mention of commercialization of Samoan music to boost music sales.
The participants shared their knowledge of music content, perspective on limitations of Samoan music, and identified potential areas for collaboration to attract young people with proper Samoan language music.
Composers of contemporary Samoan music are subject to a substantial amount of outside influence, and the group shared suggestions for utilizing predominant Samoan song teachings (traditional and/or spiritual Samoan songs), and create collections as references or for enhancing Samoan music composition.
The general consensus was: It is up to us to pave the way for future generations to use proper Samoan, beginning with the medium that influences our youth the most, music.
The participants didn’t just talk…they also sang.
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