te moana o reo edited by Michelle Elvy and Vaughan Rapatahana

Te Moana o Reo: Ocean of Languages, edited by Michelle Elvy and Vaughan Rapatahana, is an extraordinary anthology that encapsulates the linguistic and cultural diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand. With contributions spanning over 40 languages, this collection of microfiction, creative non-fiction, and essays serves as both a celebration and an assertion of the many voices that shape contemporary Aotearoa. More than a literary work, Te Moana o Reo is a taonga, offering a vital reflection on the realities of a multilingual nation in the 21st century.

Aotearoa is home to two official languages—te reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language—yet the linguistic landscape extends far beyond these. English, though widely spoken, lacks official status, and the presence of Pasifika, Asian, and other global languages continues to expand. This anthology captures this evolving reality, situating language at the heart of cultural identity and self-expression. The whakataukī “Ko tōku reo, tōku ohooho, tōku māpihi maurea, tōku whakakai marihi” (“My language is my precious gift, my object of affection, and my prized ornament”) sets the tone for a collection that recognises language not merely as a means of communication but as a vessel of cultural knowledge, identity, and belonging.

A defining strength of Te Moana o Reo is its commitment to linguistic representation. Each language included in this collection embodies a distinct cultural perspective, reinforcing the idea that language is not merely a tool of expression but a worldview in itself. As Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of ‘incommensurability’ suggests, no language can be fully translated into another without losing some of its cultural essence. The anthology acknowledges this by presenting stories and essays in their original languages, without the expectation of complete equivalence in translation. Instead, the multilingual tapestry of Aotearoa is allowed to stand on its own terms, offering a deeply authentic reading experience.

The inclusion of translingual works further enriches the collection, embracing the fluidity of linguistic expression in a multilingual society. These pieces reflect the natural ways in which speakers of multiple languages move between tongues, not as a forced exercise in code-switching but as a seamless, organic mode of communication. This phenomenon is particularly striking in communities where linguistic hybridity is an everyday reality, such as among Filipino speakers who weave together Tagalog, English, and Spanish in their speech and writing. In celebrating this dynamic language connectivity, Te Moana o Reo challenges the dominance of monolingualism and instead champions a linguistic plurality that is both empowering and necessary.

Beyond its literary merits, the anthology also carries a political and philosophical urgency. As Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o argues, language is central to a people’s self-definition and their relationship with the world. The historical dominance of English in Aotearoa has often marginalised other languages, particularly te reo Māori. This collection, by foregrounding a multitude of voices, resists an English-centric approach and asserts the right of all languages to flourish.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Cuba Press