title: 'It Was Hard To Die Frae Hame': Death, Grief and Mourning Among Scottish Migrants to New Zealand, 1840-1890.

authors: Powell, Debra

subjects: Scottish migration to New Zealand

abstract: James McGeoch's headstone, which can be seen at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Symonds Street, Auckland, carries a simple sentiment in the Scottish dialect that resonates with first generation migrants everywhere: 'It was hard to die frae hame'.  

This thesis is an investigation into the experiences of death and mourning among nineteenth century Scottish migrants to New Zealand. It considers the ways in which death, and the framework of social conventions through which it is interpreted and dealt with, might provide evidence for the persistence or renegotiation of cultural behaviours among migrant communities.  The focus of this study is on the working classes and in particular those who resided in, and emigrated from, Scotland's larger cities and towns. A complex of ideas and customs informed cultural practices regarding death among the working classes. This thesis highlights the multiple challenges that the process of migration posed to these cultural practices.  The ongoing renegotiation of such ideas and customs were important components in the formulation of cultural and religious identities in New Zealand. 

This thesis is simultaneously an investigation of deathways, a migration study, a consideration of the working class experience, and a tentative venture into the history of emotion. Using a diverse range of sources, including New Zealand coroners' reports, gravestone inscriptions, and personal autobiographical accounts as written in journals, diaries and letters, this study highlights the complexity and variety of migrants' experiences of death and attempts to uncover the multiple meanings of these experiences.

text: 'It Was Hard To Die Frae Hame': Death, Grief and Mourning Among Scottish Migrants to New Zealand, 1840-1890. James McGeoch's headstone, which can be seen at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Symonds Street, Auckland, carries a simple sentiment in the Scottish dialect that resonates with first generation migrants everywhere: 'It was hard to die frae hame'.  

This thesis is an investigation into the experiences of death and mourning among nineteenth century Scottish migrants to New Zealand. It considers the ways in which death, and the framework of social conventions through which it is interpreted and dealt with, might provide evidence for the persistence or renegotiation of cultural behaviours among migrant communities.  The focus of this study is on the working classes and in particular those who resided in, and emigrated from, Scotland's larger cities and towns. A complex of ideas and customs informed cultural practices regarding death among the working classes. This thesis highlights the multiple challenges that the process of migration posed to these cultural practices.  The ongoing renegotiation of such ideas and customs were important components in the formulation of cultural and religious identities in New Zealand. 

This thesis is simultaneously an investigation of deathways, a migration study, a consideration of the working class experience, and a tentative venture into the history of emotion. Using a diverse range of sources, including New Zealand coroners' reports, gravestone inscriptions, and personal autobiographical accounts as written in journals, diaries and letters, this study highlights the complexity and variety of migrants' experiences of death and attempts to uncover the multiple meanings of these experiences.

year: 2007

title: The change in the horizontal position of the dune toe and vegetation line on beaches within the Waikato Region

authors: Davies-Calway, Celeste Jade

subjects: dune toe

abstract: Beaches are highly variable landscapes that are constantly changing in response to a range of climatic variables. For example, local wind can cause the movement of sand across the beach and accretion, whilst storms that occur far from the beach create waves and surges which also changes the shape and morphology of the beach. The lower beach face is inundated for longer during a tidal cycle and therefore is subjected more often to wave action conversely, the upper part of the beach is inundated less often and therefore is less affected by wave energy. When storms occur, water levels are higher along the beach, waves are brought into contact with the upper beach face and erosion occurs. This erosion causes escarpment of the dune face and landward movement of the beach face, where sand is transported to offshore bars in the surf zone. Changes also occur during fair weather conditions where accretion occurs across the beach face and dune area and sand is transported back up onto the beach and sand dunes.

Beach morphology has traditionally been monitored using beach profiles, however new methods are emerging that provide more information with the potential for greater spatial and temporal data collection. In New Zealand the vegetation line and the position of the dune toe is often used as a proxy for the shoreline and setback distances are measured relative to this feature. Beach morphodynamics have been studied extensively but typical monitoring and predictive methods are not optimised to track and predict changes in the dune toe position. Beach profile surveys are the most common and reliable monitoring method used for monitoring beaches and they are used extensively throughout the world. Although beach profiles give valuable information on several different aspects of beach processes, they may not be the optimal method for tracking dune toe movement and there are other methods that might be more effective.

The aim of the research was to provide information to help optimise the monitoring and prediction of changes in the dune toe by determining: (i) the horizontal and vertical variation of the dune toe to establish how often the horizontal and vertical position of the sand dune toe changes, (ii) the alongshore variation of the dune toe along the beach length, (iii) what causes the changes in the dune toe, (iv) compare using the dune toe for beach monitoring with traditional beach monitoring methods, (v) testing different methods to measure the dune toe and vegetation line, (vi) predicting the dune toe in the future using a model. The main study sites for the research were Whangapoua Beach, Matarangi Beach, Buffalo Beach, Hot Water Beach and Tairua beach of eastern Coromandel Peninsula, and Ngarunui Beach, Raglan, where field surveys were conducted. An historical dataset of beach profiles from 20 Eastern Coromandel beaches were analysed for long term patterns. A new method for measuring dune toe using video analysis and a model for predicting the future dune toe changes was tested at Tairua Beach, Coromandel Peninsula.

The results show that, from the field survey of beach profiles, there was low variability at the dune toe compared with further down the beach. The range of distribution of the vegetation line was larger than the range of distribution for the dune toe and the dune toe was generally more seaward than the vegetation line. The vegetation line was generally not at the same location as the dune toe which has strong implications for using vegetation as a measure of dune movement. The alongshore dune toe underwent small changes throughout the survey period and there was alongshore variation of the dune toe, along with changes in the dune toe horizontal position and height of the dune toe throughout the year survey period, which was expected. Video analysis was shown to be a potential new technique for measuring the vegetation line which could be used for beach monitoring. A model was used to predict the change in the dune toe, and it predicted that there was no change in the dune toe between 1998 and 2011; however, the analysis of the imagery showed there were numerous occasions where water reached the dune toe and therefore erosion of the dune toe occurred.

text: The change in the horizontal position of the dune toe and vegetation line on beaches within the Waikato Region Beaches are highly variable landscapes that are constantly changing in response to a range of climatic variables. For example, local wind can cause the movement of sand across the beach and accretion, whilst storms that occur far from the beach create waves and surges which also changes the shape and morphology of the beach. The lower beach face is inundated for longer during a tidal cycle and therefore is subjected more often to wave action conversely, the upper part of the beach is inundated less often and therefore is less affected by wave energy. When storms occur, water levels are higher along the beach, waves are brought into contact with the upper beach face and erosion occurs. This erosion causes escarpment of the dune face and landward movement of the beach face, where sand is transported to offshore bars in the surf zone. Changes also occur during fair weather conditions where accretion occurs across the beach face and dune area and sand is transported back up onto the beach and sand dunes.

Beach morphology has traditionally been monitored using beach profiles, however new methods are emerging that provide more information with the potential for greater spatial and temporal data collection. In New Zealand the vegetation line and the position of the dune toe is often used as a proxy for the shoreline and setback distances are measured relative to this feature. Beach morphodynamics have been studied extensively but typical monitoring and predictive methods are not optimised to track and predict changes in the dune toe position. Beach profile surveys are the most common and reliable monitoring method used for monitoring beaches and they are used extensively throughout the world. Although beach profiles give valuable information on several different aspects of beach processes, they may not be the optimal method for tracking dune toe movement and there are other methods that might be more effective.

The aim of the research was to provide information to help optimise the monitoring and prediction of changes in the dune toe by determining: (i) the horizontal and vertical variation of the dune toe to establish how often the horizontal and vertical position of the sand dune toe changes, (ii) the alongshore variation of the dune toe along the beach length, (iii) what causes the changes in the dune toe, (iv) compare using the dune toe for beach monitoring with traditional beach monitoring methods, (v) testing different methods to measure the dune toe and vegetation line, (vi) predicting the dune toe in the future using a model. The main study sites for the research were Whangapoua Beach, Matarangi Beach, Buffalo Beach, Hot Water Beach and Tairua beach of eastern Coromandel Peninsula, and Ngarunui Beach, Raglan, where field surveys were conducted. An historical dataset of beach profiles from 20 Eastern Coromandel beaches were analysed for long term patterns. A new method for measuring dune toe using video analysis and a model for predicting the future dune toe changes was tested at Tairua Beach, Coromandel Peninsula.

The results show that, from the field survey of beach profiles, there was low variability at the dune toe compared with further down the beach. The range of distribution of the vegetation line was larger than the range of distribution for the dune toe and the dune toe was generally more seaward than the vegetation line. The vegetation line was generally not at the same location as the dune toe which has strong implications for using vegetation as a measure of dune movement. The alongshore dune toe underwent small changes throughout the survey period and there was alongshore variation of the dune toe, along with changes in the dune toe horizontal position and height of the dune toe throughout the year survey period, which was expected. Video analysis was shown to be a potential new technique for measuring the vegetation line which could be used for beach monitoring. A model was used to predict the change in the dune toe, and it predicted that there was no change in the dune toe between 1998 and 2011; however, the analysis of the imagery showed there were numerous occasions where water reached the dune toe and therefore erosion of the dune toe occurred.

year: 2020

title: An exploration of the role of semantic relations in the theory and practice of translation (with special reference to English/Māori and Māori/English translation)

authors: Roa, Tom

subjects: clause relations

abstract: It is over forty years since Beekman and Callow, working within the context of the tagmemic tradition, drew attention to the potential significance so far as the theory and practice of translation are concerned of inter-propositional relations (also referred to as ‘discourse relations’, 'semantic relations', ‘semantico-pragmatic relations’, 'rhetorical relations’ and ‘clause relations’).  Since then, the importance of these relations has been increasingly acknowledged within linguistics and a range of other disciplines, including artificial intelligence. In spite of this, inter-propositional relations remain largely unexplored by the vast majority of those involved in translation. My aim in this research project was to determine (a) what impact, if any, a short training course in inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling had on novice Māori-English/ English-Māori translators, and (b)  what impact my own understanding of these relations has had on my own practice as a translator. In connection with this, I conducted two studies.  

In the first of these studies, two small groups of novice translators were asked to translate seven text segments - some from English into te reo Māori, others from te reo Māori into English. They were then given a two-day workshop on inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling in English and te reo Māori. No translation exercises were included in the workshop. The novice translators were then asked to translate the same text segments again. Comparison of the two sets of translations revealed some interesting differences, the second set indicating a higher level of sensitivity to inter-propositional relations and their signalling in the original text segments. This resulted in, it is argued here, translations that more accurately reflect authorial intentions as indicated in the source texts (see Chapter 3). In connection with this, it is relevant to note that, as indicated in the introductory chapter (Chapter 1) and in parts of the literature review (Chapter 2), while some of those involved in the Western tradition of translation theory and practice have argued that authorial intention is largely irrelevant in relation to textual interpretation, this essentially post-structural positioning is not available to those involved in translating indigenous texts within the context of indigenous worldviews.

In the second study, I used self-reflective think-aloud protocols to record my thoughts during the process of translating, from English into te reo Māori, text segments from five very different texts, all of these translations having been commissioned by different commissioning agencies. I then, making reference to the think-aloud transcripts, compared the source texts with the translations to determine the ways in which my reflections on inter-propositional relations and their signalling had impacted on the translations (Chapter 4).

My overall conclusion is that an understanding of inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling can make a positive contribution to the theory and practice of translation and should be included in translator training and in the teaching of additional languages more generally (Chapter 5).

text: An exploration of the role of semantic relations in the theory and practice of translation (with special reference to English/Māori and Māori/English translation) It is over forty years since Beekman and Callow, working within the context of the tagmemic tradition, drew attention to the potential significance so far as the theory and practice of translation are concerned of inter-propositional relations (also referred to as ‘discourse relations’, 'semantic relations', ‘semantico-pragmatic relations’, 'rhetorical relations’ and ‘clause relations’).  Since then, the importance of these relations has been increasingly acknowledged within linguistics and a range of other disciplines, including artificial intelligence. In spite of this, inter-propositional relations remain largely unexplored by the vast majority of those involved in translation. My aim in this research project was to determine (a) what impact, if any, a short training course in inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling had on novice Māori-English/ English-Māori translators, and (b)  what impact my own understanding of these relations has had on my own practice as a translator. In connection with this, I conducted two studies.  

In the first of these studies, two small groups of novice translators were asked to translate seven text segments - some from English into te reo Māori, others from te reo Māori into English. They were then given a two-day workshop on inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling in English and te reo Māori. No translation exercises were included in the workshop. The novice translators were then asked to translate the same text segments again. Comparison of the two sets of translations revealed some interesting differences, the second set indicating a higher level of sensitivity to inter-propositional relations and their signalling in the original text segments. This resulted in, it is argued here, translations that more accurately reflect authorial intentions as indicated in the source texts (see Chapter 3). In connection with this, it is relevant to note that, as indicated in the introductory chapter (Chapter 1) and in parts of the literature review (Chapter 2), while some of those involved in the Western tradition of translation theory and practice have argued that authorial intention is largely irrelevant in relation to textual interpretation, this essentially post-structural positioning is not available to those involved in translating indigenous texts within the context of indigenous worldviews.

In the second study, I used self-reflective think-aloud protocols to record my thoughts during the process of translating, from English into te reo Māori, text segments from five very different texts, all of these translations having been commissioned by different commissioning agencies. I then, making reference to the think-aloud transcripts, compared the source texts with the translations to determine the ways in which my reflections on inter-propositional relations and their signalling had impacted on the translations (Chapter 4).

My overall conclusion is that an understanding of inter-propositional relations and inter-propositional relational signalling can make a positive contribution to the theory and practice of translation and should be included in translator training and in the teaching of additional languages more generally (Chapter 5).

year: 2016