Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 7:01 pm
Central - 23°C Rain
IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 7:01 pm Central - 23°C Rain

Speak your mother tongue or it will die out- Geraghty

Speak your mother tongue or it will die out- Geraghty

By Iliana Biutu
26/02/2023
University of the South Pacific Associate Professor of Linguistics Professor Paul Geraghty

University of the South Pacific Associate Professor of Linguistics Professor Paul Geraghty is reminding Fijians of the need to speak their mother tongue daily, so they can keep their dialects alive.

Professor Geraghty highlighted this during the celebrations of World Indigenous Language Day.

He says we should not be ashamed of speaking in our mother tongue because it defines who we are.

He also acknowledged the move by the Ministry of Education for introducing the conversational Hindi-Fijian program in the teaching of iTaukei and Indo-Fijian on how to speak and understand these two languages.

He says if we want unity in Fiji, we need to learn and speak the language of other ethnicities and not speak English because this will only bring separation among us.

FEATURE NEWS
Vakarisi dead, 3 released and evidence of unauthorized weapons outside RFMF's inventory - Commander
Druglord, Jone Vakarisi has died in military custody, 3 other associates have been released after questioning, 1 Republic of Fiji Military Forces pers...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Motorcyclists raise safety concerns after taxi tailgating video on social media
Concerns have been raised over biker safety after a video showed a taxi driver tailgating a motorcyclist and nearly causing an accident. Executive ...
1 hour ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana get thumped 38-0 by New Zealand
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side were outclassed 38-0 by New Zealand in their final pool game this afternoon at the Hong Kong 7s.The Black Ferns ...
1 hour ago

Fiji records 300 stroke cases annually as rehabilitation demand rises
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has revealed that Fiji continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes ...
2 hours ago

Wives of two men plead with Commander to release their husbands or allow them to see them
The wives of the men taken in by the military, Amosi Naisara and Kelepi Komaisavou,  urgently plead with Army Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai and the ...
2 hours ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fiji edges France 26-24 to top their pool
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side has topped their pool after edging France 26-24 in their last pool match at the Hong Kong 7s this ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
2 days ago

TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
9 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
9 days ago

TOP