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Sample Fiji Words and Grammar
Fijian Story
Fiji or Fijian is the indigenous language of newly independent Fiji in the Central Pacific Ocean. It is spoken by about 500,000 people, or about 50% of the population. Fijian is one of the Melanesian languages, which form a subgroup of the Malayo-Polynesian family. The alphabet lacks the letters h, x and z, while the letters f, j and p only appear in foreign words. The letter b is pronounced mb, d is pronounces nd, g is ng as in "sing", q is prounounced ng as in "finger", and c is pronounced as the th in "the". A line over a vowel lengthens its sound.
Fiji was originally settled around 4000 years ago, and the many regional dialects found in Fiji today all descend, at least partly, from the language spoken by the original inhabitants.
There are some 300 regional dialects of Fijian, all belonging to one of two major groupings. All varieties spoken west of Vitilevu belong to the Western Fijian group, while all others are Eastern Fijian.
Fortunately for the foreigner, there is one dialect that is understood by Fijians all over the islands, based on the Eastern dialects of the Bau-Rewa area, which was the major political power center in the 19th century, before Fiji became a British colony in 1874. This standard form of Fijian is popularly known as 'Bauan' (vosa vakabau), and is used as the literary form as well. It is used in conversation among Fijians from different areas, on the radio and in schools.
Fijian is used by Fijians exclusively, but it is also known to some extent by members of other communities in Fiji, especially in rural areas. Most Rotumans, part Pacific Islanders and part Europeans speak it fluently, and many Hindu Indians have a working knowledge of it, especially in places like the Sigatoka Valley, Levuka, Savusavu and Taveuni. Fijian functions as a national language, and non-Fijians who do speak it are proud of the fact.