Simpler Government Spelling Creates

Fijian Names

Simpler Government Spelling Creates New Difficulties

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, October 29. since the Fiji Government, despite spirited opposition, decided to use a so-called phonetic system of spelling Fijian names, instead of the time-honoured alphabet of the early mis sionaries (which was devised to meet the needs of certain peculiar consonants in the language), there has been much intermittent criticism. There were many expressions of satisfaction when, at its last meeting, the Legislative Coun cil decided that the old style should be reverted to for all official documents,

with the exception of maps and com munications with other Governments, and bodies and associations outside the Colony.

It also decided that the true Fijian orthography should be used, in all cases, in the spelling of all Fijian proper names.

Briefly, the principal catches in the old missionary-made orthography, which trip visitors, but to which they soon become accustomed, are: C represents the sound th, as in Cako bau; B is pronounced mb, as in Labasa (Lambasa); D is pronounced nd, as in Nadi, pro nounced Nandi; Q represents the peculiarly Fijian sound ngg, as in Beqa—which under the so-called phonetic system was spelt Mbengga, a much more awkward looking combination than the simple Beqa.

The Fijians definitely prefer the old style orthography, for that is what they have been educated to. A Fijian, seeing a word spelt in the phonetic style, finds difficulty in pronouncing it, as he is in inclined to give the values, which he knows and understands, to each letter in the word.