ALL 300 dialects in Fiji have changed, and will continue to evolve, until indigenous Fijians make the effort to learn native tongues in its original form.
University of the South Pacific language professor Paul Geraghty made these remarks in response to the concerns of villagers in the Ra Province that there have been changes in the dialect, particularly in the Nasau and Nailuva districts.
“There isn’t a place where children speak the same as their grandparents,” he said.
“In most cases the change is in the direction of standard Fijian, but in some cases it is towards a regional prestige dialect like Nadroga or Cakaudrove.”
Ovalau villager Mitieli Vunibatikula said changes in dialect had been evident.
“Vano kaba which means to go up, is now vano cake which is a mixture of Ra and Bauan dialects,” he said.
“O iko for you, is e gunu but this is not used anymore. These are just a few examples that we have noted and it’s more evident with the younger generation.”
Roko Tui Ra Mosese Nakoroi said they understood this was an issue nationally. Mr Nakoroi said they would start initiatives to foster the protection of traditional practices during their soli ni yasana scheduled for November 25.
