I am a living testimony to two young girls from varying ethnic origins developing a heart-to-heart connection on the first day of school. It occurred in the midst of a lively Fijian classroom, with the air buzzing from the sounds of a chorus of tongues. One side of the conversation featured me (Anabia), an Indian born newly arrived in the country with eyes big with dread and the other side featured Unaisi, a warm, melodious accented iTaukei girl with warm smiles, gestures and a few words in Itaukei and Hindi. The language of love needs no interpretation, and despite language barriers, there developed a firm friendship of respect and understanding between the two of us. This is a sentimental but a striking analogy for the transforming effect of multilingual education in Fiji.
As we mark International Literacy Day 2024 September 8, with the theme ‘Promoting Multilingual Education for Mutual Understanding and Peace,’ we must consider the great influence of language variety in our society. Fiji sits at a special junction with its diverse tapestry of languages and cultures. Our linguistic variety should be our greatest asset or treasure, which calls for celebration, protection, and nurturing rather than seen as a barrier to be overcome. The narrative of these two little girls negotiating their differences via gestures, smiles, and a developing lexicon of common words is evidence of the natural human capacity to connect even in the face of major cultural and language barriers. We must make efforts to cross the language barriers for peace, productivity and prosperity.
Why is multilingual education so crucial in today’s world?
The most important thing to remember is that language is much more than just a means of communication. In every sense of the word, it embodies our rich cultural history. Every island languages carries with it the secrets passed down through the centuries, the knowledge of our customs, and the hopes for what the future holds. Teaching individuals to speak more than one language helps to maintain not only our linguistic but also our cultural heritage. Additionally, bilingual education is a potent remedy in this day and age when misconceptions may cause wars, and intolerance can be bred by fears of the unknown. It teaches our young ones to be independent thinkers, to appreciate diversity, and to connect with people from all over the world in ways that others might not be able to. Nelson Mandela wisely said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” We are doing more than simply sharing facts and figures through bilingual education; we are influencing people’s perspectives, building bridges across cultural and national boundaries, and touching their emotions.
The benefits of multilingual education
Learning more than one language has several advantages, not the least of which is fostering cross-cultural understanding and preservation. The ability to switch between languages fluently is becoming more important in today’s globally linked society. Research shows that cognitive ability, problem-solving skills, and creativity are all areas where multilingual people tend to shine. Our children and grandchildren will be better equipped to face the global issues of the future and the competitive job market of today if we prioritise bilingual education. In addition, the promotion of academic performance is greatly aided by bilingual education. Encouraged students often do better in all areas of study when they continue to use and improve their native language in addition to the language of teaching. In Fiji, many people may not have grown up speaking the language of teaching and face great challenges in receiving instructions or even communicating properly. We can make the classroom a better place for learning for all children if we respect and use their native languages. However, we can not deny that there are obstacles to advancing bilingual education. It calls for funding, new approaches to education, and a mental change toward language acquisition. However, the benefit is incalculable. Investing in a world where people can communicate in more than one language helps keep our cultures rich and diverse and fosters communities that are strong because of mutual respect and understanding.
Future of multilingual Fiji
We need to do things like these if we want Fiji to be a truly bilingual nation:
- Create lessons that honour the cultures that languages are a part of while also teaching them. Languages have rich history, literature, and customs, and our classrooms should be places where students may learn about these things.
- Invest resources into programs that prepare teachers to work in classrooms where students speak a variety of languages. This encompasses not just linguistic competence but also culturally sensitive pedagogical practices.
- Make cutting-edge, easily accessible language learning aids using technology. In today’s digital age, we can make language learning more accessible and interesting than ever before.
- Support cultural exchange programs that put our kids in situations where they can learn a new language. Deep understanding and friendships that last a lifetime can be fostered by these life-altering encounters; and
- Back local efforts to keep indigenous languages alive and well. Many of our indigenous tongues might go extinct very soon.
We must move swiftly to ensure that these languages are retained for the benefit of generations to come. It is imperative that we endeavour to alter public perceptions about bilingualism alongside the implementation of these measures. Instead of seeing multilingualism as a strength, individuals tend to see it as a problem that needs fixing. Language variety is a strength, not a weakness, and we must change people’s minds about it so that we can build stronger, more united nations. The experiences of those two girls are more than simply a lovely tale. It serves as a model for what our future holds. Imagine a world in the future when the harmonious sounds of numerous languages fill the air, echoing not just on our stunning islands but also far beyond. We must resolve to turn multilingual education become a way of life in Fiji, not just an enshrined policy. We must keep in mind that each new language we learn opens the door to better comprehension as we go ahead. As a country, we can take heart from this and work towards a future in which our diversity is celebrated rather than feared. Embrace the magnificent symphony of languages that make Fiji distinct in our classrooms, our communities, and our hearts.
Conclusion
While our native tongues may be different, the universal languages of humanity—the languages of love, hope, and peace—are incomparable. On this International Literacy Day 2024, let us renew our commitment to teaching students to read and write in more than one language. Let us welcome the wide variety of languages that make up our globe with open arms in our classrooms, neighbourhoods, and hearts. We are all members of the same global family, and may our words always serve to strengthen the bonds of understanding that unite us. May we continue to study, develop, and construct a future where the harmonious blend of several languages forms a harmonious tapestry of harmony that reverberates across Fiji and beyond. This is not a dream easily achieved. Word by word, we need to build a more compassionate, welcoming, and peaceful society via language education.
- ANABIA MUMTAZ attends Central Primary School in Lautoka, Fiji, and is a Year 8 Green Student. Her opinions do not reflect those of the newspaper or her school. This is a revised version of her oratory competition organised by the Ministry of Education at Fiji National University, Natabua Campus, where She got the First Prize under Primary School Categories. Regarding feedback or recommendations, email: zeenatimam83@gmail.com
Bridging worlds | The transformative power of multilingual education
