A recently conducted national census in Pacific Island Countries has indicated a significant level of bilingualism among the populations, according to Educational Assessment and Evaluation Specialist Anaseini Raivoce.
Ms. Raivoce reported that the findings revealed that approximately 77 percent of Tongans and 95 percent of Fijians can speak two languages. She shared these insights during the world literacy and numeracy celebrations at the Pacific Community (SPC) office in Nabua, Suva.
These figures are notably higher compared to other nations, with only 20 percent of New Zealanders and 25 percent of Australians identifying as bilingual. In the United Kingdom, about 35 percent of the population claims English bilingualism.
“Multilingualism goes beyond mere language skills; it entails thriving within diverse cultural settings, each governed by its own values and perspectives,” she explained.
She noted that the level of bilingualism in these Pacific nations suggests they are making significant strides toward establishing their multilingual identities. For instance, Papua New Guinea boasts over 800 languages, accounting for roughly 12 percent of the world’s total languages. Similarly, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands have some of the highest per capita language diversity globally.
This linguistic diversity is attributed to centuries of migration, trade, and cultural interactions throughout the region. However, Ms. Raivoce pointed out a key challenge in promoting multilingualism within educational systems: the shortage of educational materials in many indigenous languages.
Furthermore, she emphasized that issues surrounding the assessment of multilingual abilities often go unaddressed and that evaluation policies have historically not kept pace with educational advancements.
Embracing multilingualism in education, she argued, could create a more inclusive atmosphere that honors all identities within the classroom.
“Promoting multilingualism in the Pacific is not solely about improving literacy rates; it is about nurturing a richer and more inclusive society where every voice is acknowledged and valued,” Ms. Raivoce concluded.