Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate on Monday this week gave final approval to its version of an Administration bill, which seeks to establish a Samoan Language Commission of American Samoa to provide authoritative guidelines on Samoan language in education, government, and in economic and social life.

The legislation, which now goes to the House, also seeks to establish Samoan and English as the official languages of the territory and as the languages of instruction in all public schools of American Samoa.

This is not the first time that such legislation has been introduced in the Fono over the past few years without success. And this point was acknowledged during a Senate committee hearing on the measure last week.

Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet, who chaired the hearing, shared a brief summary of the measure, and noted that the House has already approved its identical version of the Administration bill.

(The House version of the legislation was approved in second reading in the Senate yesterday with final reading today, where it’s expected to be endorsed.)

Fai’ivae said the importance of this proposed law is not only to preserve the Samoan language but also amends local law to include both English and Samoan languages in classroom instruction. 

Sen. Muagututia Tauoa echoed the same message saying that the Samoan language is already utilized for teaching at Fagaitua High School. He moved for the bill’s passage and was it was quickly endorsed by other committee members.

Sen. Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata reminded senators of the importance of the Samoan language and it should be made a priority for usage in homes and villages as well as in schools. And this statement was acknowledged by Fai’ivae, who pointed out that the loss of the Samoan language is the loss of the culture and a person’s identity.

Current law states that instruction in all public schools shall be in the English language but the Samoan language may be used when necessary to facilitate teaching the English language.

An amendment to this provision of the law, in the Administration bill adds, “Samoan” language to be used for classroom instruction, as well as English.

A new provision added to the law, states that: “To ensure students acquire proficiency in Samoan, English and academic subjects, the Department of Education shall develop quality literacy programs based on research and the current needs of students.”

The bill also creates a new section of the law titled “Official Languages”, saying that Samoan and English shall be the official languages of American Samoa, except that Samoan shall be required for public acts and transactions only as provided by law.”

The legislation, also creates a new section, the “Samoan Language Commission of American Samoa” with 15-members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Fono. Members shall serve for 4-year staggered terms and may be reappointed.

The measures also spells out in detail the commission’s powers, and duties — which include, among other things, to promote, preserve and give guidance to the furtherance of the Samoan language, in particular the language as a living and ordinary means of communication, intrinsically related to the culture as a living heritage and wealth of knowledge and skills that is transmitted to nourish diversity and human creativity.

The commission is also to develop a strategic plan, develop and publish an authoritative Samoan language dictionary and review grammar/ usage and dictionaries for public use; and “Samoanized/ borrowed” words in response to local and global changes.

Furthermore, the Commission is to review all curriculum sponsored teaching materials that are to be used in teaching the Samoan language; and promote and support publication and distribution of children’s literature and poetry in the Samoan language.

Of the 15-members, three of them are from the public-at-large with demonstrated knowledge and dedication to the language.

Other members: American Samoa Community College head of the Department of Samoan Studies; local Education Department — either the director or the Director’s designee; three clergy; clergy, from a denomination other than the member appointed under the above provision; Secretary of Samoan Affairs; and one member each from the Senate and House of Representatives.

The commission will elect its own chairman, vice chairman, and secretary who shall serve for 1 year. The commission can also appoint a full time executive director or administrator and other staff as is approved by the budget and who shall serve at the pleasure of the commission.

The legislation notes that this proposed new chapter of local law, shall not alter the requirements of current statute, which provides for approval of courses on Samoan culture by the Secretary of Samoan Affairs.

The initial $150,000 funding for the commission’s operation in fiscal year 2022, comes from unbudgeted, unexpended and unobligated surpluses of fiscal years 2019 and 2020. And upon approval by the Fono and signed by the governor, the bill becomes effective 60-days after the end of the Legislative session at which it has been passed.