http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/fiji/702/first-climate-change-glossary-translated-into-i-ta/

 

For the first time in Fiji, three government ministries have worked together to publish a glossary of climate change terms, translated into the iTaukei vernacular language.

 

The new glossary contains 50 of the most used climate change terms. Some of the examples of the translated terms include adaptation ('sotavi ni draki veisau'), carbon ('kaboni'), climate change ('draki veisau'), climate change mitigation ('tataqomaki ena draki veisau').

In his preface, the Permanent Secretary for I Taukei Affairs, Savenaca Kaunisela said the publication is a milestone because resource owners can take an active role in reducing the devastating effects of global warming and climate change.

"The Fijian language has borrowed many foreign words and thoughts which are yet to be appropriately translated.

"This publication serves also to enlighten us on the emerging issues which are affecting us through climate change. A whole new type of discourse is now possible as far as climate change concerned, said Kaunisela.

The Climate Change Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation introduced the new glossary for Fiji journalists at a two day Climate Change media training in Suva last week.

"The idea is to trial out the new terms in the community. There is already some discussion on translating the glossary into Hindi and other languages in Fiji, said Alisi Pulini of the Climate Change Unit.

There were commitments made by journalists to trial the use of these translated terms in their media organisations.

"Fijians must realise that in order to succeed in all walks of life, every individual should be knowledgeable of the things that revolve around them and these can only be achieved if they are informed through their language, said Kaunisela.

The glossary was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests.