Bula vinaka! Join in – Fijian Language Week

The 2020 Fijian Language theme is ‘Noqu vosa, noqu iSema bula’ – My language, my living link.

Read on for more about the theme, Fiji and the culture, and what’s on at Unitec for Fijian Language Week, and please do join in!

The theme, Noqu vosa, noqu iSema bula – My language, my living link, reflects the strength and connection a people’s language and cultural identity provide as they make their life’s journey, particularly during challenging times.

Our languages are our identity and are key to our wellbeing and success. COVID-19 has truly challenged all of the peoples of Aotearoa and the ability to communicate to Pacific peoples in their own languages has been critical in our fight to stop the spread of the virus. Taking the time to learn a welcome and a thank you in the various languages of our Pacific communities will always be appreciated – scroll down for Fijian key words and phrases or download a copy here.

The Fijian flag adopted in October 1970 following independence

Fiji has three official languages: English, iTaukei and Hindi. The iTaukei language is spoken either as a first or second language by most indigenous Fijians who make up around 54% of the population.

Fijians of Indian descent make up a further 37%, mainly speaking a local variant of Hindi, known as Fiji Hindi. English, a remnant of British colonial rule over the islands, was the sole official language until 1997.

What’s on and more info

Monday 5 October:

10.00am – Join NZ Fijian Police officers and our Fijian staff community in a ceremony, a flag raising outside B111 to acknowledge Fiji’s 5oth independence (the British granted Fiji independence on 10 October 1970). Come along and enjoy the Fiji national anthem
10.30am – Come back to the Events Kitchen space at Te Puna (B180) for masu, hymn, meke and traditional sevusevu ceremony followed by morning tea

Find out more: Sana Saleem

Thursday 8 October:

Fijian Research Symposium, a partnership between Unitec and University of Canterbury. A showcase of research, and an opportunity to form research networks, support each other’s research needs, deepen research capacity and innovation, and look for ways of extending their research value and impact in the Fijian community and beyond. Note: Due to COVID -19 restrictions, registration is now closed but you can join in via Zoom. Find out more: Rokosiga Morrison

The Pacific Centre will be interviewing Dr Steve Ratuva from the University of Canterbury – check the Pacific Centre Facebook page for the video – date TBC.

Other events:

Check this listing on the Ministry of Pacific Peoples site
Go to the NZ Fijian Language Week Facebook page

Fiji snaphot

Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands. It’s famed for rugged landscapes, palm-lined beaches and coral reefs with clear lagoons – great snorkeling!

Traditional uniform of the Fijian police and military – featuring the ‘sulu’

Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain most of the population – 883,483 (2018). Viti Levu is home to the capital, Suva, a port city with British colonial architecture.

Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific through its abundant forest, mineral, and fish resources. Tourism is a key contributor to the economy, sugar cane and in recent years, bottled water exports.

Kava is also an important cash crop in Fiji and a culturally significant way for Fijians to relax. The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative and anesthetic properties, giving a feeling of relaxation and well being. It is widely accepted in the community in everyday life, and as part of religious and political occasions.

Wearing a ‘sulu’ is commonplace in Fiji and also forms part of the official traditional attire for the Fijian police and military (pictured above), a key icon and tourist ‘photo opp’. These days, the wearing of the white sulu is reserved for special occasions.

You can read more abou the sulu here – Fiji Police: the best-dressed in the world?

Key words and phrases

The language week celebrates the Fijian language and Fijian culture by promoting and raising awareness of the Fijian language in the home, in education, at work, in government, in the media, in sport, in the arts, in the church and in the community.

The iTaukei (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 there 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