From the shores of Suva to the streets of Madrid, Taina Talei Maitiro has carried her Pacific Islander identity with her every step of the way. A linguist, educator, and proud daughter of Fiji, Taina’s journey — from Suva Grammar School to the University of the South Pacific, through New Caledonia and now Spain — is a story of language, love for culture, and the enduring strength of the Pacific diaspora.

As PacifikLive marks Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we sat down with Taina to talk about what it means to celebrate mana, preserve indigenous languages, and stay rooted in Pacific identity while living thousands of miles from home.

Q & A

PacifikLive: Can you introduce yourself and share your background, education and experience?

I’m Taina, a thirty-something year old Suva native now residing in Madrid, Spain. Language is something that has always fascinated me as far as I can remember. I dedicated a huge chunk of my teens and twenties studying French. I studied French throughout high school at Suva Grammar School and continued at university (University of the South Pacific, USP). I did my undergraduate studies in Literature and Language, Politics, and French. I decided to continue studying a year after I graduated and registered in a postgraduate linguistics course, which I completed under the close guidance of the incredible Dr. Paul Geraghty.

Shortly after this I had a short stint at UNICEF and USP as a communications and social media intern. Eventually, I was offered a job at the French Embassy as visa and consular assistant thanks to my background in French. This experience gradually led me to pivot into teaching in a francophone country. In 2017 I moved to Pouembout in New Caledonia, where I worked as an English teaching assistant at a high school for two years. It was a transformative chapter in my life.

I discovered that I enjoyed the thrill of being in an unfamiliar setting. Up to that point I had lived my whole life in Suva. Although I had traveled abroad, I found that it couldn’t be compared to actually living in a different country — which for me meant engaging with local people, learning the language, understanding their culture, history and relevant sociopolitical issues. With that mindset, I applied for a teaching job in Spain in 2019. On the 2nd of January 2020 I arrived in Madrid, and almost 6 years later I’m still here — teaching English to students whose language (Spanish) I’m actively learning and whose culture I’ve fondly adopted.

PacifikLive: What does Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?

It means celebrating the mana of our ancestors, our presence, contributions, endurance and resilience as Pacific Islanders.

PacifikLive: How has your Pacific identity influenced your journey as a linguist and educator?

In high school my interest in languages was more oriented towards non-Pacific languages — I was obsessed with French and English. I didn’t appreciate the beauty and complexity of the language I grew up speaking (Standard Fijian) until I joined Dr. Geraghty’s classes. I guess prior to this experience I had a very indifferent attitude towards my language; maybe because it was familiar and didn’t require me to learn its grammar rules in order to use it effectively.

These classes helped me understand the ins and outs of Standard Fijian and my parents’ dialects — and I was mesmerized. Almost overnight I became a kind of native language champion at home! For instance, I created challenges for my family to encourage them to minimize the use of English words when we conversed in Fijian. Although this change came as a surprise to my family, they were very proud that I had taken a keen interest in our dialects.

Now as an educator in a country so far away from home, I incorporate aspects of my Pacific identity through the lessons I teach. I have given lessons about Fijian gastronomy, Diwali, the meke, and even rugby. It is a way I keep my connection to my homeland alive while being thousands of miles away.

PacifikLive: What part of your culture are you most passionate about preserving?

Well, definitely the safeguarding of our languages and dialects — no surprises there!

In addition, as a person who is something of a tattoo enthusiast, I’d say the pre-colonial Fijian practice of female tattooing. Veiqia, as it is known in Standard Fijian, was banned upon the arrival of the first British missionaries during the colonial era. There’s a group of dedicated artists — The Veiqia Project — who are doing an amazing job at reviving this art form. I think in general there’s a lot of work that could and should be done to document and revive practices that were lost during colonization.

PacifikLive: Who are the people who shaped your path?

Regarding Pacific languages, it was Dr. Geraghty who played a huge role in my life. My love affair with languages only grew in university when I joined his linguistics classes. They awakened an interest in Pacific languages that I had never felt before, specifically in my parents’ different dialects (Macuata and Bouma Fijian). I look back fondly on the years I spent learning from him. Every conversation with him was a profound intellectual experience.

In relation to French, I owe a lot to Marine Lamolle, my French lecturer. In my second year of studying French at university, I was the only student who registered for the course and I had the incredible privilege of having personalized classes with her. The sessions were dynamic and non-conventional. In my final year, she collaborated with the French Embassy in Suva to send me on a fully funded trip to attend a French Cultural and Language Workshop at the University of New Caledonia in Nouméa.

And finally, my family — who have always been very supportive of all my dreams and ambitions.

PacifikLive: What challenges do Pacific Islanders face when it comes to language preservation?

We live in a global village and are becoming more interconnected thanks to technological advances. In my opinion, the biggest threat when it comes to language preservation is globalization. A language like Fijian, which is only spoken by a small number of people compared to other dominant languages like English, Mandarin, and Spanish, is very vulnerable to dying out if it isn’t valued and transferred to the next generation by the older generation. With many Fijians now scattered all over the world, this risk becomes even more prevalent in younger Fijians through cultural assimilation in their adopted countries.

PacifikLive: What message would you share with Pacific Islanders learning or relearning their language?

My message would be: GO FOR IT! Other languages like English may open more doors and offer better opportunities in your professional development, but knowing how to speak your native language keeps you connected to your heritage. It is something precious that our ancestors managed to keep alive for many centuries — and it is our duty to safeguard it.

PacifikLive: How do you stay connected to your culture while living in the diaspora?

This is something that I take very seriously and try to be very intentional about. I stay connected to my culture mainly by cooking Fijian dishes (although here it can be quite complicated to find ingredients that we have back home) and listening to Fijian music.

I also read books that offer a historical insight into understanding Fiji’s past. At the moment, I’m reading a super enlightening book titled “Disturbing History: Resistance in Early Colonial Fiji, 1874–1914” by Robert Nicole. (Speaking of diaspora, it was recommended by a cousin who lives in France and sent to me by another cousin from Hawaii!)

I wish I had more opportunities to speak Fijian here on a regular basis. The only times I get to speak it are when I call my family and friends, and sometimes when I meet up with the few other Fijians who live in Spain.

PacifikLive: What is your hope for Pacific Islander communities moving forward?

My hope for Pacific Island communities moving forward is for our Pacific Island leaders to create better economic opportunities to reduce non-voluntary migration. And also that there is a consolidation of an academic and cultural landscape that supports both the preservation of our heritage and the creation of a stimulating future.

Closing

Vinaka vakalevu to Taina Talei Maitiro for sharing her journey, voice, and unwavering commitment to language preservation. As we mark Pacific Islander Heritage Month, her story reminds us that our culture travels with us — carried in our languages, our memories, and the pride we hold for our islands. Thank you Taina, for honoring your heritage across continents and inspiring Pacific people everywhere to keep our identities alive, no matter where we call home. 🌺🌺