‘We don’t hate them; we just want to correct them’

The Fiji Association of the Deaf has responded to a video appearing to mock Fiji Sign Language with a call for education rather than anger, saying those involved should apologise and learn about Deaf culture.

“We don’t hate them; we just want to correct them.”

That was the association’s message after a video showing two people, understood to be students of the University of the South Pacific (USP), mocking Fiji Sign Language at the Laucala Bay campus drew widespread criticism.

The association said the incident should be used as an opportunity to educate people about Deaf culture, the importance of sign language and the need to respect the identity of the Deaf community.

Fiji Association of the Deaf project officer Makarita Baumuri said sign language was part of their identity and people needed to change their mindset.

“We are not angry, we don’t hate them, we just want to correct them and make them understand the Deaf culture,” she said.

“The hearing persons think we are not well educated because they are making fun of sign language but we have different levels of education, some have diplomas, degrees with the Fiji National University, University of the South Pacific and we are living well.”

Sign language teacher Eve Naqio said parents also had a responsibility to teach their children to respect other people’s languages.

Deputy Speaker and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua also condemned the actions of the two people shown in the video.

She said making fun of any language was shameful and stressed that sign language deserved the same respect as other languages.

“It’s just an issue of respect. Sign language is an official language of Fiji and I really think that everyone in Fiji should learn it. It is an official language. It is a language of Parliament and to make fun of somebody’s identity and language, it is not funny,” she said.

Ms Qereqeretabua called on the two people in the video, including the person filming and those laughing, to apologise to Fiji’s Deaf community.

The association supported her call for an apology and said it should also be posted on social media.

Rather than shutting the door on those involved, the association said its doors were open to them to learn sign language and better understand Deaf culture.

Questions have also been sent to USP.