Fijian

A language of Fiji

Boumaa Fijian, Eastern Fijian, Fiji, Standard Fijian, Vakaviti

Na Vosa Vakaviti

634,000 in Fiji, all users. L1 users: 314,000 in Fiji (2019). L2 users: 320,000 (1991 UBS). Total users in all countries: 654,710 (as L1: 334,710; as L2: 320,000).

Location

Kabara, Kadavu, Komo, Lakeba, Moce, Namuka, Nayau, Ogea, Oneata, Vatoa, and Vulaga islands; Vanua Levu and offshore islands, east half of Viti Levu and eastern offshore islands.

Language Maps

Fiji

Language Status

4 (Educational). Statutory language of national identity (2000, Constitution, Article 4(1)).

Classification

Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, East Fijian

Dialects

Kadavu (Nabukelevu, Ono, Tavuki), Southeast Viti Levu (Lutu, Naimasimasi, Nandrau, Waidina), Bau (Bauan, Mbau), Northeast Viti Levu (Lovoni, Namena, Tokaimalo), Central Vanua Levu (Baaravi, Nabalebale, Savusavu, Seaqaaqaa), Northeast Vanua Levu (Dogotuki Saqani, Korolau, Labasa), Southeast Vanua Levu (Baumaa, Navatu-C, Naweni, Tunuloa), West Vanua Levu (Bua, Navakasiga, Navatu-B, Soolevu). Southern Vanua Levu has several dialects similar to Bau dialect. On Northern Vanua, Levu, and adjacent islands people speak a somewhat related variety. Bau is very similar to standard Fijian, used as traditional lingua franca among Fijians.

Typology

VOS.

Language Development

Newspapers. Radio. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 1864.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Fijian

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian, traditional religion.