‘Children in Villages Can’t Read iTaukei Bible’

Fijian chiefs are worried over the increase in language attrition or iTaukei language loss among iTaukei children.

Language attrition is the decline of language skills in individuals over time which could lead to a loss of its proficiency.

The concern was raised by the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) chairman, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula yesterday.

He said the erosion of proper and efficient use of iTaukei language among young people was a concern.

He said many children in villages could not read the iTaukei Bible.

“The teaching of the Fijian vernacular was not made compulsory. That changed over the years, and as a result, we’ve got kids in villages who cannot read the Bible in iTaukei which is sad,” he said.

The GCC, to address this, has established a Native Language Commission (NLC) to revive, standardize and preserve the iTaukei language.

“Words have been created at various institutions, but we need a central authority.

“The GCC is the institution that has the final say on what becomes part of the Fijian dictionary. That’s why we’ve created the commission,” Ratu Viliame said.

Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj