Combating Erosion Of Fijian Language

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Combating Erosion Of Fijian Language

Submitted by Stacey on October 6, 2009 – 9:56 pm2 Comments

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Without More Preservation And Promotion, Fijian May Grow Extinct

The Fijian language could become extinct if people don’t promote and preserve it, notes a recent article in Fiji Times.

People listen to discussion of the Fijian language at the University of the South Pacific during the World Hindi Day celebration in September. Photo, Fiji Times.

Professor Rajesh Chandra, vice chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, described the challenges facing the Fijian language during World Hindi Day celebrations in September.

“Hindi literature is progressing in India,” he said, “the popularity of Bollywood is further protecting Hindi and Indian culture.”

Fijian does not have these opportunities, he noted.

“It is our shared responsibility to help strengthen and preserve both the languages,” he said.

Experts believe culture is lost when language is lost. In Fiji, many communities use Fijian as their everyday language.

In an effort to spur more preservation efforts, an advisory committee is being set up at the University of the South Pacific for Hindi and Fijian languages, Chandra said.

For more information on Fijian, visit Fiji-Language.com.

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