Utu: Finding a Balance for the Legal Maori Dictionary

Victoria University of Wellington Law Review, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 201-219, 2011

Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Paper Series No. 14/2015

11 Pages Posted: 19 Sep 2014 Last revised: 18 Feb 2015

See all articles by Tai Ahu

Tai Ahu

Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka - Faculty of Law, Student/Alumni

Rachael Hoare

Independent

Mamari Stephens

Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka - Faculty of Law

Date Written: November 1, 2011

Abstract

This article describes the authors' experience of attempting to confine the Maori word utu to a list of distinct, Western legal glosses. The article highlights the complexity involved in drafting a comprehensive legal dictionary entry for utu that achieves an appropriate balance between the traditional customary meanings and Western legal meanings. This examination provides insight into legal lexicography in contemporary New Zealand.

Keywords: legal lexicography, Maori language, Maori language and law, legal dictionaries, indigenous legal languages

Suggested Citation

Ahu, Tai and Hoare, Rachael and Stephens, Māmari, Utu: Finding a Balance for the Legal Maori Dictionary (November 1, 2011). Victoria University of Wellington Law Review, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 201-219, 2011, Victoria University of Wellington Legal Research Paper Series No. 14/2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2497766

Tai Ahu

Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka - Faculty of Law, Student/Alumni ( email )

PO Box 600
Wellington, Victoria 6140
New Zealand

Rachael Hoare

Independent ( email )

Māmari Stephens (Contact Author)

Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka - Faculty of Law ( email )

PO Box 600
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand

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