The decade from 2022-2032 is proclaimed as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages by the United Nations General Assembly.
The mission of the resolution is to promote, revitalise, preserve and reinvigorate native languages.
There are about 3000 languages that may disappear by the end of the century, and out of 7000 languages currently spoken in the world the indigenous languages come to 6700 that are under threat according to UNESCO website (https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/2022/02/21/a-decade-to-prevent-the-disappearance-of-3000-languages).
Many scholars feel that the European languages were imposed on indigenous populations, while others argue that strategies of assimilation acted as a type of ethnocide or linguistic genocide. As per UN, many Pacific languages are under constant threat that need urgent attention.
There are many indigenous languages in the Pacific Islands, such as 138 in Vanuatu, 76 in the Solomon Islands, 28 in New Caledonia and 832 living languages in Papua New Guinea (Tamata, 2019).
Languages are a pivotal means to connect to their cultural roots and heritage, and if these languages are declining, that raises eyebrows.
In Oceania, the youngest constitution of Fiji (2013) has recognised the languages of indigenous people or the iTaukei; Rotuman language; language of descendants of the indentured labourers from British India; languages of descendants of the settlers and immigrants to Fiji.
The provisions are made in legal and constitutional governments to safeguard the indigenous language in many other Oceania nations’ constitutions.
This op-ed elucidates the theme of a historical discourse on the threat to Indigenous languages of Oceania and focus on the most spoken languages of Fiji.
Conquest from the top
Colonisation exacerbated the long-term process of erasing indigenous culture, tradition, and language.
The period underwent a drastic transformation in identity and traditional practices. The suppression of dominant language by the colonisers was the rule of the day.
In Oceania, there was a decline of indigenous languages, i.e. in Fiji most spoken languages are iTaukei and Fiji-Hindi/Fiji baat, followed by Rotuman.
Many may question the criteria to categorise these languages as indigenous, but this article only focuses on the discourse of decline and revival strategies. With the enforcement of colonial language over the Pacific nations, the native languages witnessed a slow decline. Europeans saw the native languages as primates and were unable to present their mission to propagate their religion.
Their motive to expand in the Pacific Islands was because of 3Gs Gold (exploring fortunes), God (propagating religion) and glory (expanding politically). Under this mission, they wanted their language to become the means of communication.
Gradually, under their political-imperial motives, colonisers changed the names of sites and landmarks and attempted to rewrite history to reflect their ‘civilising mission’ of conquering Oceania.
The new narratives of history did not give much space to indigenous people’s achievements and accomplishments in context. They attempted to mold the culture and heritage of indigenous people and supersede the native language.
Their mission of systematic marginalisation of native local languages and imposing superstructures and institutions was a well-drafted objective. The colonisers share a vision that indigenous languages created a hurdle in their mission to achieve modernity under their “civilising mission”.
iTaukei language
Because of the country’s diversity of cultures and languages, Fiji has worked to preserve and safeguard its indigenous languages. Warning of extinction of indigenous iTaukei and Fiji Hindi language is stated by renowned Professor Subramani, he stated, “simply because there is no writing in the language.
I’m concerned that the indigenous iTaukei language is not being enriched by writing. And when the language is not enriched by writing, it is not recorded in writing.
Then there’s a gradual demise of the language” according to Radio NZ.
There has been an awareness to safeguard the indigenous languages and the emergence of the renaissance movement to rediscover the indigenous culture and language (Nabobo-Baba, 2013).
The revival and transmitting of the indigenous language by concrete measures are necessary to safeguard the treasure of language, oral tradition, dances, ceremonies, literature, histories, and knowledge for future generations.
Fiji-Hindi and Rotuman
Fiji-Hindi language came along with the indentured labourers from India from 1879-1916, with about 60,000 labourers.
The language usage is declining overall, but this decline is researched at the university level by Prashneel Gounder and Preetika Prasad (2017), because of an array of barriers like young children are taught English language from birth, employment sector demands English over any other language.
Other similar factors can be social causes, where people moving to urban areas are immersed in learning English.
Many scholars have debated the “where, how and in what forums it (Fiji Hindi or Fiji baat) should be spoken, sung, read or taught” (Delaibatiki, Fiji Sun, February 12, 2020).
This op-ed evaluates the reasons for the decline without going into past divisive and factual debates.
The gradual decline of indigenous languages is a danger resulting in the mother tongue, traditional values, identity and cultural roots.
The number of students studying in their own mother tongue is declining. Learning English is associated with being high class and having a distinction among their peers, which is the popular belief.
The lack of indigenous institutions that promote all studies in the mother tongue has become another deciding factor. This perennial question needs to be further brainstormed to make way for future pathways.
Similarly, the Rotuman language needs to be protected in Fiji and Rotuma, UNs Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation has put the Rotuman language as an endangered language according to Fiji Village website.
In a nutshell, there is a long way to go before we can protect these languages.
Conclusion
In Fiji, the protection and preservation of Indigenous languages such as iTaukei, and other languages, Fiji-Hindi, Rotuman and similar languages is the need of the hour.
The objective is to safeguard the lingua franca of all communities that are facing a challenge from the colonial language.
Many efforts are made to revive these languages and many people are becoming aware of safeguarding their language, culture, tradition and heritage. Social media have used languages besides English, to express their views in indigenous languages.
Progressive means of propagating the indigenous language included telecasting programs in indigenous languages; airing the radio in the native language; use of the internet and its diverse forms to spread the language; use of audio-visual technologies; advocating for teaching indigenous languages in the primary and secondary language; printing newspapers, magazines, official documents and other reference material in indigenous languages; and supporting the music, film and television programs in indigenous languages.
The responsibility should be shared among all stakeholders such as parents, community, society and policymakers away others.
- Dr SAKUL KUNDRA is an Associate Dean (Research) and Assistant Professor at the College of Humanities and Education, at Fiji National University. This article has been published in Australia Today. The views expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper or his employer. Email dr.sakulkundra@gmail.com
