Once forbidden from speaking Fijian at school. Decades later, Greg Trail is encouraging families across Aotearoa New Zealand to make Vosa vakaViti part of everyday life.
Greg was born in Suva and spent his early school years in Fiji. After the first coup Greg’s family migrated to New Zealand in 1987.
At the time of his schooling in Fiji, it was forbidden to speak Vosa vakaViti in schools. “There are a lot of Fijians like me, who are part European, part Fijian. And there are many who can't speak Fijian because we were all forbidden to speak it in school.”
This made home the only space for him to learn his language.
“We all had house help at home. They were the ones who also taught us. Because they were with us more than our parents. I'm so grateful for that as well. “
Retaining the language after migrating to New Zealand became more difficult. He would spend school holidays with his grandmother back in his parent's village of Levuka on Ovalau island.
“My grandmother taught me well. I may not speak formal Fijian, but I can hold a conversation quite confidently. “
Greg is now a passionate advocate for the Fijian language and has been an active member of the Auckland Fijian community, helping establish Fijian Language Week and propelling Fiji day celebrations to a larger scale.
This year the theme for Fijian Language Week is, "Na noqu vosa me tekivu mai vale ka me'u na vosataka e na veisiga" - My language starts at home, and I need to speak it every day.
Greg says this theme is particularly important to him.
“The language starts at home. We believe the home is really the heart of the foundation of language and culture with our parents.”
Keeping the language alive in homes is the first step to preserving the language.
“Children now know basic Fijian. It's now about giving them that confidence to speak it confidently and hold a conversation.”
This year as a part of Fijian Language Week and Fiji Day celebrations, Greg has organised Fiji Arts and Crafts Village workshops. More than 150 women have come from across the Fiji Islands to showcase and teach Fijian arts.
“The event will strengthen pride in the identities of Fijians here in New Zealand especially the young ones. It will make them proud of their heritage and see what happens back home in the arts and culture space."
The celebrations for Fijian Language week are very important because it brings people together, it unifies the community, it makes friendships stronger and is a chance to share the cultural experiences and knowledge,” says Greg.