Crown Lynn Potteries was a noisy workplace. From the squealing of machinery, to the grinding of sanders, to the many voices of the factory workers. These workers came from across the globe and would have spoken in many different languages – from Croatian to Sāmoan.  

In 1981, 50.5% of Crown Lynn’s factory staff were from the Pacific Islands, and this factory announcement shows how the company responded to this diversity [1]. The announcement includes translations in English, Niuean, Sāmoan, Tongan and Cook Island Māori.  

The Sāmoan section, when directly translated into English, reads: ‘Anyone caught logging in a card for another person either in the morning or afternoon will be reported to the manager’.  

Interestingly, this is not the same as the original English version, which says that this behaviour will result in instant dismissal! 

[1] J. A. Longley, “Interhouse Correspondence, Ethnic Breakdown of Factory Staff”, Crown Lynn Ceramics (N.Z.) Limited, February 13, 1981. Portage Ceramics Trust Collection.