Use of vernacular language wherever and whenever appropriate will enhance communication, better understanding and tolerance in our diversity

While English is our national language and an important medium of communication, we should not neglect vernacular languages. The idea to allow the use of the vernacular languages in Parliament will help enhance understanding, tolerance and harmony among our different ethnicities, cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.

English should remain as the main language in Parliament. But if there are issues that MPs feel they need to explain in the vernacular, they should be allowed to do so.

To bring some order to the situation in case of exchanges there should be some rules enforced by the Speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.

The vernacular should be permitted for substantive statements in the form of a summary translation of the English text. But it should not be allowed in exchanges across the chamber, which often are interjections and disruptive in nature.

Outside of Parliament, it can be used effectively to communicate important messages because each language is peculiar with its own unique characteristics.

While English is the national language, its comprehension or understanding differs from person to person, community to community and culture to culture.

Those who do not speak or write it every day, especially in the home, may struggle to grasp the core information in a message. But they will understand it better if it is conveyed in their vernacular language. Linguistics will tell us that translation can be challenging to try to get across the correct and exact meaning of a message. Nevertheless, efforts should not be spared to reach out to the marginalised because of their lack of understanding of the English language. The use of the vernacular can bridge that gap.

Some may say why can’t we teach and improve people’s understanding and command of English? That should be an ongoing exercise. At the same time, we must keep our vernacular languages alive by not only teaching it but using it too where it’s needed and necessary. Its preservation is important for cultural identity.

In a country where we represent a rich diversity of races, cultures and religions, languages bind us in a national tapestry.

Today, both the spoken and written word, in any language, is a powerful tool of communication. Governments have risen and fallen through the use of words.

Therefore, it’s crucial that we do not limit the use of different languages to get vital information across to all Fijians. Over the ages, languages have evolved. Some words have gone out of fashion and new words have emerged and are now part of our conversational language.

We speak of irony, similes, metaphor, paradox and other figures of speech in English. The vernaculars have their own too but delivered differently.

What is hard to comprehend is politicians addressing an audience in English when the listeners are predominantly iTaukei or Indo-Fijian and the politicians can speak the vernacular.

If they want their message to be better understood, it would be an appropriate place to speak the language of the people.

People are empowered when they understand information they receive.