LANGUAGE POLICY ISSUES IN NEW ZEALAND

The article considers specific features of the language situation and language policy in New Zealand. The author takes into consideration the social status of English and Maori, draws reader's attention to the state policy of the Ministry of education of New Zealand and the activities of governmental and non-governmental organizations concerning the English language, Maori and the New Zealand Sign Language. The author analyses New Zealand state reforms, aimed at cultivation of the cultural, educational and communicative value of the Maori language and culture. The paper draws attention to the growth of ethnic consciousness of the Maori people, communicative expansion of the Maori language usage in public, political, educational, scientific and cultural spheres of New Zealand. The language situation in New Zealand is unbalanced exoglossic. The most common language in New Zealand is English, and it continues to occupy a prestigious position in all spheres of communication: in politics, economy, education, science, art and culture. The Maori language had a low level of linguistic proficiency: it had no writing system, literary tradition, and technical terminology. New Zealand sign language became an official language of New Zealand eleven years ago. Language policy in this aspect enforces tolerance in New Zealand society. New Zealand colleges, universities, and research centers with the cooperation of state organizations, conduct effective work on the revival of the cultural Maori heritage, carry out major socio-cultural activities among New Zealand population, and develop a special method of teaching the Maori language. Currently, there is an increase of ethnic identity, expansion of the communicative use of the Maori language in public and political life, education, and mass communications in New Zealand. The prevalence of the Maori language is also seen in educational institutions as a teaching subject. Knowledge of the English language gives Maori an access to higher education, wealth and economic advantage.