Rotuman language in focus in NZ

• Author: Akanisi Taumoepeau
• Published date: 26 May 2022
• Publication title: Guardian, The

I was born in Suva, Fiji, but spent my formative years in Rotuma where, my mother says, I spoke Rotuman with fluency. Around the age of 4, I returned to Suva to prepare for primary school where it was acceptable practice then for teachers to hit and humiliate children if they spoke their mother language in school. Compounding that was the tendency of most Rotumans to laugh at other people’s mistakes

Thus began the hate in this relationship that has spanned more than four decades and across two countries.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the spoken word and I speak Rotuman when I can. The hymns and songs always transport me back to carefree days; the long, drawn-out conversations in Rotuman with my mother are food for the soul; a well-delivered sermon on a Sunday is enough to sustain me spiritually and linguistically.

I just hate the macrons, diacritics and accents. I’ve gotten over the harsh lessons learned in Fiji; no need for therapy there. Instead, my biggest hurdle in this relationship with my mother tongue will be trying to temper my frustration and impatience with the written word.

The Rotuman language is celebrated one week in May every year in New Zealand. This year it was on May 8-14 and the theme is sustainability...