NI SA BULA. NI MATAVINAKA MAI
Welcome to Fijian Language Week 2021 celebrations at Unitec Institute of Technology, Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka.
This year’s theme for Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week is Noqu Vosa, Ai Vakadei ni Noqu Tiko Vinaka, which means my language provides stability to my wellbeing.
Noqu Vosa ai vakadei ni noqu Tiko Vinaka, reminds us of the importance of our Pacific languages and cultures for our overall wellbeing. Pacific languages and cultures also provide strength in challenging times.
This year’s theme reflects the overarching 2021 Pacific Language Week theme of Wellbeing, by linking the importance of language to overall wellbeing.
Programme for the week
- Monday 4 October : Meeting with Fiji staff of MIT and Unitec
- Tuesday 5 October : Kahoot Quiz
- Wednesday 6 October: Virtual afternoon tea and talanoa
- Thursday 7 – Friday 8: Fiji Aotearoa Research Online Symposium Theme: Sustainable Horizon, Zoom link for Symposium: https://massey.zoom.us/j/88156269343
Check out the full details on the Fijian Language week poster.
The Fijian alphabet
The Fijian alphabet is made up of all the English letters excluding the letter “x,” though the letters “h” and “z” are also rarely used and primarily are only found in borrowed words.
Vosa Vakaviti (Fijian language) has five vaueli (vowels):
a, e, i, o, u
Vowels are mostly pronounced as they would be if they were spoken in Spanish, Italian and German:
A as in “ah” as in father
E as in error
I as in me or sit
O as in for or toll
U as in “oo” in food or too.
Key words and phrases – Vosavosa leleka vakaviti
| Vakaviti | English |
| Ni sa bula vinaka | Greetings to visitors/guests |
| Bula | Greetings to you two (dual) |
|
Dou bula |
Greetings to three or more people (plural) |
| Va cava tiko? | How are you? |
| Au bulabula vinaka tiko | I am well |
| Vinaka vakalevu | Thank you very much/very good |
| Moce | Goodbye (to someone who is going) / Goodnight |
| Au lako mada yani | Excuse me (to get past) |
| O lako ivei? | Where are you going? |
| Curu mai | Come in |
| Wananavu | Great |
| Vosa mai vei au | Speak to me |
| Io / Sa donu | Yes / Ok |
| Sega | No |