Last month, I was contacted by Martha and Timothy Matzke from the Summer Institute of Linguistics (Pacific-based), who sought my insights on the theme for this year’s International Mother Language Day: “Taking Our Languages into the Future.”
At the time, I was preoccupied with preparations for my move to New Zealand, making it a particularly hectic period.
Nevertheless, I was eager to contribute, especially since our discussions about the 2025 International Mother Language Day had begun the previous year. Language has always been a subject of great interest and passion for me. Martha indicated that I should respond by that afternoon.
While I was busy sorting through clothes, I repeatedly reflected on the theme “Taking Our Languages into the Future” until it resonated rhythmically in my mind. However, I felt a disconnect in relating to the theme as a Solomon Islander.
Upon deeper reflection, I recognised the necessity of incorporating my cultural values—such as pride, hope, and confidence—into the theme as it pertains to the future of our language.
By midday, I sent a message to Martha, suggesting the inclusion of these cultural values. The following day, Martha informed me that they had opted for the theme “Boldly Taking Our Languages into the Future.”
I was glad, as this allowed me to forge a connection with the theme. As the Solomon Islands commemorates the International Mother Language Day in Honiara this week, I am impressed to share some reflections and inspirations related to this theme.
The Oxford Dictionary defines “bold” as acting confidently and courageously, demonstrating a willingness to take risks. Similarly, the Cambridge Dictionary describes it as exhibiting bravery and confidence without fear.
Reflecting on these definitions in relation to this year’s theme brings to mind our ancestors, who navigated the vast Pacific Ocean thousands of years ago and traversed diverse terrains as hunters and gatherers, displaying immense confidence and courage.
They relied on celestial bodies, winds, waves, currents, and natural seasons as their navigational tools, embracing risks as they settled across the Solomon Islands.
It is reasonable to assume that as they migrated, they carried their customs, languages, and cultural values with them. Although change is an inherent part of life and interactions with other cultures have occurred over time, the core cultural values of their knowledge, practices, and existence remained deeply ingrained in their hearts and minds.
Elders continued to impart their histories, genealogies, languages, customs, and cultural practices to the young generation.
It is this spirit of boldness, confidence, courage, pride and risk-taking that our current generation must embody to ensure the maintenance and preservation of our Indigenous languages.
The term ‘Taking’ in the theme encapsulates our responsibility as Solomon Islanders to carry our past and present into the future. In other words, ‘Taking’ in this year’s theme signifies an ongoing commitment and responsibility to preserving our Indigenous languages, which communities and our nation must prioritise to prevent the loss of our languages and cultures.
Furthermore, “Taking” serves as a call for collaborative and culturally sensitive approaches, encouraging communities and various organisations to work together in advancing our languages into the future.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to spend three months in Sa’a Village, South Malaita, where I sought to understand the community’s attitudes and perspectives toward their Sa’a language, Pijin, and English, particularly in the context of implementing the Vernacular Languages and English in Education Policy at their primary school.
A pivotal question I posed to the Sa’a community was: “How important is your Sa’a language to you?” One elder’s response resonated with me: “As a villager in Sa’a, I know my Sa’a language well.
The words of the language I speak have deep meanings, and they come from my heart. My language is my blood – one simple word I use can mean a whole part. So, I have pride in my language. Even though I can speak Pijin, I can’t express myself fully on what’s in my mind because when I was born, the first language I heard from my mum was Sa’a language.”
This statement illustrates how the Sa’a language embodies the values, norms, and practices of the community. Through their language, individuals can express profound sentiments, emphasising that each word carries significant meaning.
By boldly taking our languages into the future, Solomon Islanders can ensure that our cultural values, norms, and practices thrive, allowing us to articulate what is most important to us from the heart.
This commitment also helps us maintain our true identity as Solomon Islanders.
I also engaged in a conversation with a Year Six student at Charles Elliot Fox Primary School in Sa’a. This student aspired to be a teacher in the future like her grandpa.
When I asked her about her thoughts toward her Sa’a language, she expressed confidently: “I am proud of my Sa’a language and happy that I can speak my own language because I know that other children don’t know their language. But for me, I know my language well. I am happy that I can read and write in both my language and in English as well.”
Her response reflects a profound sense of pride and appreciation for the Sa’a language, highlighting the privilege of being able to communicate in one’s indigenous language.
Boldly taking our languages into the future will continue to foster a sense of peace, happiness, appreciation, privilege and belonging among our younger generations.
Our children need to have the right to think, speak, read, learn and socialise in their Indigenous languages freely and openly no matter where they are.
In conclusion, this year’s theme, “Boldly Taking Our Languages into the Future,” serves as a timely reminder for all stakeholders and relevant institutions to consider in our language policies, approaches, and practices.
Our language policies should reflect our people, our language, our culture, and our identity, as we are Solomon Islands people with diverse stories and life experiences. Gegeo (2019, p. 65) in his ‘Teaching and Conserving Pacific Languages’ work encouraged us to “…choose the steps we take to conserve our indigenous Pacific languages in a manner that resonates with our Pacific ways of knowing, doing and being.”
Let us then unite as a nation rich in linguistic diversity to boldly take our languages into the future no matter the risks just like our ancestors did in the past.
Happy International Mother Language Day and may God bless Solomon Islands from shore to shore.
REFLECTIONS By Dr Kerryn Sogha Galokale
Pacific Studies,
Waipapa Taumata Rau,
The University of Auckland
