Shedding Colonial History: Pacific Island Nation Nauru to Hold Referendum on Name Change
The Pacific island nation of Nauru announced it will hold a national referendum to change its name to 'Naoero' (tentative translation). This move aims to return to the indigenous language and shed its colonial past, reflecting its cultural heritage and identity more faithfully.
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Central News Agency (Sydney, May 12, Comprehensive Foreign Report) – The parliament of the Pacific island nation of Nauru announced that it will hold a national referendum to change the country's name to 'Naoero' (tentative translation), aiming to return to its indigenous language and shed the old name distorted by 'foreign accents' of colonizers.
According to AFP, Nauru's President David Adeang stated in a press release tonight that the reason Nauru is changing its name to 'Naoero' is to 'more faithfully reflect our country's cultural heritage, language, and identity.'
Nauru's indigenous language is Dorerin Naoero, spoken by the vast majority of the country's approximately 10,000 residents.
The Nauru government explained in its statement: 'The name 'Nauru' came about because foreigners' accents could not correctly pronounce 'Naoero.' This change was not by our choice, but for the convenience of outsiders.'
The statement pointed out that the impact of the name change will extend to all levels of the country, from renaming national airlines and vessels to official identification in regional and international forums such as the United Nations, as well as transnational official records and symbols.
Since changing the country's name involves amending the constitution, the government is legally required to hold a national referendum.
Germany claimed Nauru as its protectorate from the late 1880s until it was occupied by Australian forces during World War I, after which it was jointly administered by Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, gaining independence in 1968.
Nauru is not only one of the world's smallest countries, with its main island covering only about 20 square kilometers. A recent assessment report by the World Bank indicates that Nauru is highly vulnerable to climate change and has high rates of unemployment and health problems. (Editing: Zhang Ming-xuan) 1150513
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According to AFP, Nauru's President David Adeang stated in a press release tonight that the reason Nauru is changing its name to 'Naoero' is to 'more faithfully reflect our country's cultural heritage, language, and identity.'
Nauru's indigenous language is Dorerin Naoero, spoken by the vast majority of the country's approximately 10,000 residents.
The Nauru government explained in its statement: 'The name 'Nauru' came about because foreigners' accents could not correctly pronounce 'Naoero.' This change was not by our choice, but for the convenience of outsiders.'
The statement pointed out that the impact of the name change will extend to all levels of the country, from renaming national airlines and vessels to official identification in regional and international forums such as the United Nations, as well as transnational official records and symbols.
Since changing the country's name involves amending the constitution, the government is legally required to hold a national referendum.
Germany claimed Nauru as its protectorate from the late 1880s until it was occupied by Australian forces during World War I, after which it was jointly administered by Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, gaining independence in 1968.
Nauru is not only one of the world's smallest countries, with its main island covering only about 20 square kilometers. A recent assessment report by the World Bank indicates that Nauru is highly vulnerable to climate change and has high rates of unemployment and health problems. (Editing: Zhang Ming-xuan) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's 'Firsthand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.