Oceania > Fiji > Fiji/Language

Fiji: Fiji/Language

2010/01/17

Language

The official language is English while the national indigenous language is Bauan which is only of the a lot of dialects that exist in the Fiji Group.

Other languages and dialects spoken in the country are Hindi, Cantonese, Rotuman, Gilbertese (Rabi Island), and Tuvaluan (Kioa Island). The Fiji Islands are traditionally linked to their island neighbours Tonga and Samoa and this is evident in the culture and dialects of the Northern and Eastern provinces being Cakaudrove, Bua, Macuata, and Lau.

The a lot of dialects spoken in these provinces consistently use sounds that are heard in Tongan and Samoan, but not so with dialects from the Western and South Western parts of Fiji. The Fijian Language uses the Roman Alphabet as in English however readers need to be careful interpreting Fijian words in this, and similar articles.

The following conventions exist:

The letter "c" is pronounced like the English "th" sound in "again". Therefore, "Laucala Bay" is spoken as Lauthala Bay. Each letter "d" is preceded with an "n" sound. Nadi (the airport town) is pronounced Nandi. Each "b" letter is preceded with an "m" sound. The town Ba is pronounced mBa. The letter "q" is pronounced as an "ng" (better "ng" + "g") sound as in the English word "finger". Beqa is pronounced mBeng-ga. The letter "g" by itself is sounded as an "ng" sound as in the English word "sing". The letter "r" is rolled as in Spanish. In Fijian words, each vowel is given its full weight and at no time shortened, skipped or slurred.

Fiji English

The existence of a lot of dialects within the Fijian language inclunding exposure to the other languages spoken have contributed to a lot of Fiji Islanders being bilingual. For general communication in an informal environment, a very interesting cross use of the languages has developed, resulting in slang instantly commonly referred to as Fiji English. In formal settings, of course, correct usage is adhered to. Fiji English comprises aspects of Fijian, English and Hindi, which reflects the history and identity of the people of Fiji.

Identity

There is a sense of national pride being identified with being from Fiji regardless of the which ethnic community you originate from; there is as well a sense of pride with regional identity showing which part of Fiji you are from for example people from Nadi whether they are Indian or Fijian will say with pride "I am from the Jet Set Town" Nadi developed this name as Fiji's International airport is located there, whereas people from the wider western region will say, I am from the "burning west" as the west has less rainfall and is the dryer part of the country, people from Vanua Levu whether Fijian, Indian or other racial mixes will say I am from the "friendly North".

Fijians will further identify with Confederacies but so will the other racial groups, "I am from Burebasaga or Tovata or Kubuna".

There is National Identity that Fiji shares as a Country that we are geographically from the same area this comes out in sports or at the same time as traveling abroad, but as well there are strong regional and inter-regional identity with where you hail from, further pride is as well shown in an individual's racial identity.

additional about : Art / culture
additional about : Cultural Arts and Social Polity
additional about : Performing Arts
additional about : Sports Culture
additional about : diverse Cultures

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