Many first time visitors to Fiji are surprised to discover that less than half the population of Fiji speak Fijian as their first language. Along with English and Fijian, Fiji Hindi is widely spoken in Fiji and one of the three official languages recognised by the 1997 constitution.
The History of Fiji Hindi
Fiji Hindi, also known as Fijian Hindi or Fiji Hindustani, is spoken by all of the country’s Indo-Fijians – approximately 38.1 per cent of Fiji’s total population – though a small minority will speak another language such as Tamil or Punjabi at home.
The relationship between Fiji Hindi and Standard Hindi has been compared to that of the relationship between Afrikaans and Dutch. Fiji Hindi evolved from the many dialects spoken by the Indians who first travelled to the South Pacific in the 19th century as indentured labourers. These dialects included Bihari, Eastern Hindi, Telugu, Rajasthani and Tamil. Fiji Hindi can be written in both Devangari script and in Latin script.
Today Fiji Hindi incorporates many words and phrases from Fijian and from English. According to Professor Jeff Siegel from Australia’s University of New England, ‘Fiji Hindi reflects the diverse origins of the Fiji Indians as well as their unique new culture which has developed in Fiji’.
Fjii Hindi: Learning the Basics
For a traveller or visitor to Fiji wanting to acquire some basic words and phrases of Fiji Hindi, one of the first hurdles they will discover is that four of English’s most common and courteous words – hello, goodbye, please and thank you – have no direct equivalents in Fiji Hindi. This may appear a daunting first hurdle but it is one which can be easily overcome.
In place of hello, the most common greeting is kaise, which translates to How are you? The appropriate reply is tik (fine). In more formal settings use namaste or, when within a muslim context, use salaam alaykum.
In place of the courtesies of please and thank you, try incorporating thoraa (meaning a little, for when making requests) and achhaa (meaning good) to show your appreciation. And when all else fails, please and thank you are widely used within Indo-Fijian settings.
Fiji Hindi: Key Words and Phrases
- No nahi
- Yes ha
- What’s your name? Ap ke nam ka hai?
- My name is hamaar naam
- Do you speak English? aap English boltaa?
- I don’t understand ham nahi samajhtaa
- I’m sorry maaf karnaa
- How much is it? kitna dam hai?
- Please say it again fir se bolna
- I don’t know pata nahi
- Where is the hospital? Aaspataal kaha hai?
Remember: in an emergency English is spoken by virtually all Indo-Fijians and widely spoken throughout Fiji.
Fiji Hindi Numbers
- 1 ek
- 2 dui
- 3 tin
- 4 chaar
- 5 paanch
- 6 chhe
- 7 saat
- 8 aath
- 9 nau
- 10 das
- 100 sau
- 1000 hazaar
Learning More About Indo-Fijian Culture
Shalini Akhil’s 2005 book The Bollywood Beauty tells the story of Indo-Fijian cousins Rupa and Kesh; one raised in Fiji and the other in Australia. They are reunited when traditional ideal Rupa comes to live with the very progressive Kesh. The story is a clash of cultures with a twist and provides a honest and refreshing insight into issues of culture and identity for Indo-Fijians. Shalini Akhil is also a comedian and writes for a number of Australian publications.
Sources and Further Reading
Albert Schutz, Say It In Fijian, Pacific Publications.
Fiji, 7th Edition, Lonely Planet Publications.
Cate Allan - Cate Allan is a Melbourne-based writer and editor. She has published widely on language, travel and the arts.
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