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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/15/hello-death-coca-cola-mixes-english-and-maori-on-vending-machine
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'Hello, death': Coca-Cola mixes English and Māori on vending machine | 'Hello, death': Coca-Cola mixes English and Māori on vending machine |
(about 2 months later) | |
Coca-Cola’s attempts to combine te reo Māori and English has backfired badly, with the company inadvertently writing “Hello, Death” on a vending machine in New Zealand stocked full of the drink. | Coca-Cola’s attempts to combine te reo Māori and English has backfired badly, with the company inadvertently writing “Hello, Death” on a vending machine in New Zealand stocked full of the drink. |
Te reo Māori, the language of New Zealand’s indigenous people has been undergoing a revival and big business has taken note. | Te reo Māori, the language of New Zealand’s indigenous people has been undergoing a revival and big business has taken note. |
Google has launched a Māori version of its website, Google Maps is recording more accurate Māori pronunciations, and Disney has released a Māori version of the hit Polynesian film Moana. | Google has launched a Māori version of its website, Google Maps is recording more accurate Māori pronunciations, and Disney has released a Māori version of the hit Polynesian film Moana. |
'Māori has gone mainstream': the resurgence of New Zealand's te reo language | |
“There’s an increasing sense that te reo is good for identifying your business as committed to New Zealand,” said Ngahiwi Apanui, chief executive of the Māori Language Commission. | “There’s an increasing sense that te reo is good for identifying your business as committed to New Zealand,” said Ngahiwi Apanui, chief executive of the Māori Language Commission. |
But Coca-Cola’s attempts to use the native tongue, which is an official language of New Zealand, has fallen flat. A Coke vending machine emblazoned with the words “Kia ora, Mate”, translates into te reo as “Hello, Death”. | But Coca-Cola’s attempts to use the native tongue, which is an official language of New Zealand, has fallen flat. A Coke vending machine emblazoned with the words “Kia ora, Mate”, translates into te reo as “Hello, Death”. |
When the languages don't mix well. pic.twitter.com/3piZIoptAE | When the languages don't mix well. pic.twitter.com/3piZIoptAE |
The English use of mate is common in New Zealand and used as a term of endearment and greeting by friends and strangers alike. | The English use of mate is common in New Zealand and used as a term of endearment and greeting by friends and strangers alike. |
But in te reo Mate means death – as evidenced by the famous haka Ka Mate – and social media users in New Zealand have suggested the slip-up was a rare moment of honesty from a global giant selling sugary drinks. | But in te reo Mate means death – as evidenced by the famous haka Ka Mate – and social media users in New Zealand have suggested the slip-up was a rare moment of honesty from a global giant selling sugary drinks. |
“The coca cola company gains self awareness?” asked one Twitter user. | “The coca cola company gains self awareness?” asked one Twitter user. |
“Totally spot on it does mean death for a lot of Indigenous people” replied another. | “Totally spot on it does mean death for a lot of Indigenous people” replied another. |
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world with one in three adult New Zealanders classified as obese. | New Zealand has one of the highest rates of obesity in the developed world with one in three adult New Zealanders classified as obese. |
According to statistics New Zealand 50% of Māori adults are obese, as well as 18% of Māori children. | According to statistics New Zealand 50% of Māori adults are obese, as well as 18% of Māori children. |
Coca-Cola New Zealand was contacted for comment. | Coca-Cola New Zealand was contacted for comment. |
New Zealand | New Zealand |
Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
Indigenous peoples | Indigenous peoples |
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