THE indigenous Fijian language, culture, and tradition are being endangered as never before, according to the University of Fiji's Centre for iTaukei Studies director Master Joji Uluinakauvadra.
While officially launching the university's Diploma in the Teaching of the Fijian Language program at the Saweni Campus on Monday, Mr Uluinakauvadra said iTaukei culture, language and tradition were being hit by winds of change as never before.
He said while the English and Hindi languages had developed solid foundations, including written records over a very long period of time, the iTaukei language was not as fortunate and still evolving.
Mr Uluinakauvadra said the Diploma in the Teaching of the Fijian Language Program was aimed at helping to preserve the indigenous language and ultimately the culture and tradition. He urged participants to enrich the language and culture by teaching and speaking in Fijian. More than 20 participants, many of them schoolteachers, have indicated an interest in taking up the diploma program.
Mr Uluinakauvadra said they expected the program to also offer a Masters degree in the Teaching of the Fijian Language Program as well as a PhD in the next five years or so.