The Pacific island nation of Nauru is preparing to decide whether to formally adopt “Naoero,” the Indigenous name used by its people, in a move that government leaders say would better reflect the country’s cultural heritage, language and national identity.

President David Adeang announced the proposal in a speech to parliament in January, describing the change as an effort to align the country’s official name with the term used by Nauruans in their own language. Parliament subsequently approved the proposal without opposition, paving the way for a national referendum that will determine whether the change becomes official.

If approved, the country would become known internationally as Naoero, pronounced “Now-ero,” replacing Nauru, commonly pronounced “Now-roo.” Government officials have argued that the existing name originated from historical adaptations made by foreign administrators and visitors who struggled to pronounce the Indigenous name correctly.

According to the government, the original name was altered over time because it could not be easily rendered by foreign speakers. Officials have said the current spelling was not adopted by the choice of the island’s inhabitants but emerged through colonial-era administrative practices.The proposed change would represent the latest chapter in the history of a nation that has undergone several name transitions over more than two centuries.

Located approximately 3,000 kilometers northeast of Australia, the island covers about 21 square kilometers, making it one of the world’s smallest sovereign states. Its population is estimated at around 13,000 people.The island first entered European records in 1798 when a British seafarer named it “Pleasant Island,” reportedly impressed by its landscape and the hospitality of its inhabitants.

After Germany annexed the territory in 1888, the name “Nauru” became established in official documentation, although other variants, including “Nawodo” and “Navoda Onawero,” were also recorded during different periods.Following World War I, Australia assumed primary administrative responsibility for the island under a League of Nations mandate beginning in 1919.

The Australian administration retained the spelling “Nauru,” and that designation remained in place after the country achieved independence in 1968. In the early 2000s, Nauru also became internationally known as the location of an Australian offshore immigration detention center.Researchers who study Indigenous place names say such renaming efforts often reflect broader questions about history, sovereignty and cultural recognition.

Zoltán Grossman, a professor of geography and Native American studies at Evergreen State College in the United States, said changing place names has historically been linked to colonial authority and control over territory.Grossman said colonial administrations frequently altered local names, diminishing the visibility of Indigenous peoples and cultures.

In his view, contemporary efforts to restore original names are often connected to broader assertions of self-determination and political identity.The Nauruan government has cited several international precedents in support of the proposal. These include Türkiye’s adoption of its preferred international name in place of the English-language “Turkey,” Eswatini’s replacement of the colonial-era name Swaziland, and the Micronesian state of Chuuk, which was widely referred to internationally as Truk until 1990.

Scholars also point to similar developments in other regions. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, several countries adopted spellings and names more closely aligned with local languages and identities. India has likewise renamed numerous cities and states since independence as part of efforts to reflect Indigenous and regional linguistic traditions.

Jordan Engel, founder of the Decolonial Atlas project, which documents Indigenous place names around the world, said there has been growing interest globally in restoring ancestral names to places and landmarks. According to Engel, the use of Indigenous names can strengthen cultural continuity and support the preservation of traditional languages.The issue, however, remains politically sensitive in many countries.

Debates over official place names have generated controversy in several jurisdictions where Indigenous and colonial naming traditions coexist. In New Zealand, proposals to increase official use of the Māori name Aotearoa have attracted public support but have also prompted political disagreements. The Cook Islands has similarly experienced periodic debate over whether to retain a name associated with British explorer James Cook.

For many Nauruans, the discussion centers on cultural identity rather than political transformation. Arcmen Willis, a wrestler who has represented the country in international competition, supports the proposed change and said he hopes people outside the island will learn to pronounce the Indigenous name correctly.

Willis said preserving national identity was important and expressed support for efforts to increase recognition of the country’s original name. At the same time, he emphasized that the proposal would not alter the daily lives of citizens, describing it primarily as a change in how the country is represented internationally.

The debate has also drawn attention to the future of the Nauruan language, officially known as dorerin Naoero. UNESCO classifies the language as “severely endangered.” While it continues to be spoken within families and communities, it is not taught in schools, raising concerns among language preservation advocates about its long-term survival.

Supporters of the name change argue that adopting Naoero could contribute to broader language revitalization efforts by increasing the visibility of the Indigenous language in official and international settings. Advocates say symbolic measures can reinforce cultural awareness and encourage future generations to maintain linguistic traditions.Even before any referendum result, elements of the proposed transition are already visible.

The name Naoero has been adopted by several public institutions, including the national postal service, health service and utility provider. Australia’s High Commission has also begun using both Nauru and Naoero in public communications.

The referendum is expected to determine whether the country formally adopts the Indigenous name in domestic law and international usage, marking a significant moment in the Pacific nation’s ongoing effort to define how it presents its history, language and identity to the world.

Winning a place at University of Oxford prompted Charlotte Staniforth to reassess her identity and relationship with the Welsh language, highlighting a broader trend among young professionals rediscovering linguistic heritage.

Staniforth, 28, said her time at Oxford heightened her awareness of being Welsh, particularly as one of only two Welsh students in her college. “People would ask if I spoke Welsh, and I’d have to say no,” she said, describing a growing sense that she had missed an important cultural connection.

After graduating, Staniforth returned to Cardiff shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19 and began learning Welsh through online classes. Her progress led to recognition as a finalist at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2024, and she now teaches the language to other adults.

“I found the classes for adults an amazing experience,” she said. “I made such good friends, I learned about Welsh culture, I discovered new bands and books, a new world. I wanted to give back.”Her experience reflects a wider increase in adult engagement with the language.

New data from Y Canolfan Dysgu Cymraeg Genedlaethol shows the number of adult learners has risen by 12% over the past year, surpassing 20,000 for the first time.The growth comes amid ongoing concerns about the long-term vitality of Welsh.

A recent report from the Welsh language commissioner found that while the number of speakers has remained broadly stable over decades, it has not kept pace with population growth, increasing the language’s vulnerability. Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones has previously said that “bold and transformative” action will be required to meet the Welsh government’s target of reaching one million speakers by 2050.

Dona Lewis, chief executive of Dysgu Cymraeg, said the organisation had seen sustained demand since its establishment in 2016. “We are really pleased with the numbers; the statistics show consistent growth,” she said, adding that the programme has a significant role to play in supporting the language’s future.

Participation has increased steadily, with enrolment up 61% since the 2017-18 academic year. Workplace-based learning has been a key driver, accounting for nearly 40% of participants, particularly within public sector institutions such as the National Health Service and police forces.Younger learners are also contributing to the rise.

The number of participants aged 16 to 24 increased by 56% in the 2024-25 academic year compared with the previous year. The share of learners identifying as coming from diverse ethnic backgrounds has also grown modestly, reaching 5%.For some, the resurgence reflects a broader cultural shift.

Scott Gutteridge, a 29-year-old actor based in London who grew up in Llanelli, said interest in the language appeared to be strengthening. “It’s a fantastic time to start learning Welsh because there are so many resources available,” he said.

“It seems like a fire that’s burning again.”Gutteridge’s interest in Welsh developed while working on a bilingual production of Romeo and Juliet by Theatr Cymru.

He began studying in the evenings and applying his learning in professional settings. While he noted challenges with regional dialects, he said learners are generally encouraged to experiment and engage.“Sometimes it was difficult with dialects, but you just start somewhere,” he said.

“People are so happy you’re trying and giving it a go.”Both Gutteridge and Staniforth said adult learning environments offered a more engaging experience than compulsory Welsh lessons in school.

Gutteridge described a residential course at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a Welsh language heritage centre, as “magical,” highlighting the role of immersive environments in sustaining learner motivation.The demographic profile of learners is also expanding.

According to Staniforth, participants increasingly include individuals from outside Wales, including people from England and Scotland with family connections to Welsh-medium education, as well as learners from eastern Europe, Asia, and further afield joining online courses from countries such as the United States and Australia.

Despite the upward trend, challenges remain. Staniforth pointed to what she described as a structural gap between school-based and adult language learning. “Considerably more kids go to English than Welsh school, and there’s not enough focus on them,” she said, noting that early exposure and sustained engagement are critical to language retention.

She also emphasised the importance of motivation and community in language learning. “If you learn a language you have to want to do it,” she said.

“Learning Welsh has to be enjoyable, because finding and creating a community, that’s what keeps the language alive.”

The week-long event highlighted how translation serves as a cultural bridge that connects communities, strengthens diplomacy, and supports creative industries.

Organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the event positioned translation as a central element in cultural development.

Through workshops, discussions, and networking sessions, participants explored how language exchange can promote mutual understanding and global collaboration.

Translation was described not merely as a transfer of words, but as a movement of ideas, emotions, and identities across borders.
Speakers emphasized that every translation carries a story, fostering empathy between people and preserving diverse cultural heritages.

Hailah Alkhalaf, the general manager of translation, spoke about the deeper significance of language. She noted that translation is an act of connection — one that conveys the richness of entire civilizations and human experiences.

The event included panel discussions on technology, training, and ethics in translation. Experts explored how artificial intelligence tools can enhance efficiency while maintaining the human essence of cultural interpretation.

Young participants shared enthusiasm for translation as both a career and a calling. Many students expressed interest in pursuing translation as a path to diplomacy, education, and cultural outreach.

Workshops offered practical training, covering areas like crisis translation, literary adaptation, and digital localization. These sessions provided attendees with real-world techniques and insights from experienced translators.

One of the key topics was language sustainability, focusing on how translation can help revive endangered languages. Speakers called for programs to preserve linguistic diversity and ensure that all communities have a voice in global dialogue.

Panels also discussed equal access to translation education. Experts recommended mentorship programs and grants to empower emerging translators and expand training opportunities.

The forum highlighted collaboration between academia, cultural institutions, and creative industries. Projects that combine literature, music, and visual arts were showcased to demonstrate how language can enrich all forms of expression.

Attendees enjoyed a gala dinner that celebrated cultural unity through music and cuisine. This closing event symbolized how translation not only bridges words but also connects hearts and traditions.

Technology’s role in translation was another major focus. Panelists emphasized a balanced approach that pairs digital tools with the intuition and sensitivity of human translators.

Discussions also addressed professional ethics, cultural respect, and the importance of accurate representation. Translators were reminded that their role carries both creative and moral responsibility in shaping intercultural communication.

The event created opportunities for networking, mentorship, and professional collaboration. Students and experts discussed partnerships that could advance the translation ecosystem in the years ahead.

Organizers underlined the need for continued investment in research, education, and institutional infrastructure. Translation was framed as a foundation for cultural diplomacy, economic growth, and shared global prosperity.

By the end of the week, participants expressed optimism and commitment to ongoing cooperation. They agreed that translation has the power to transform understanding and foster peaceful international dialogue.

The forum concluded on a hopeful note, celebrating translation as both an art and an instrument of progress. It reaffirmed that through language, humanity can continue to build bridges, nurture empathy, and imagine a connected future together.