a Tongan term referring to the islands to the west which started to become unified under missionary influence and when it stood up to Maafu.
Outside of Fiji, the word is used differently by people who do not know.
But in Fiji, as you well know, Fijian is refers to a particular ethnic group, not a citizenship. Its meaning as an ethnic identifier is lost if it used as a term of nationality. There is no need for this.
The people who persistently bring this up are the ones set on marginalizing the culture. There is no other reason for it. There are alternative names which can be used for a common national name. The UN has recognized ethic identity and diversity as important, even if you don't. Why not pick a neutral term? Why would Fiji Citizen bother anyone. It is purely factual and avoids the confusion over ethnicity.
No, it is not silly.
Can the Hindi language now be called "Fijian"?
Outside of Fiji, the word is used differently by people who do not know.
But in Fiji, as you well know, Fijian is refers to a particular ethnic group, not a citizenship. Its meaning as an ethnic identifier is lost if it used as a term of nationality. There is no need for this.
The people who persistently bring this up are the ones set on marginalizing the culture. There is no other reason for it. There are alternative names which can be used for a common national name. The UN has recognized ethic identity and diversity as important, even if you don't. Why not pick a neutral term? Why would Fiji Citizen bother anyone. It is purely factual and avoids the confusion over ethnicity.
No, it is not silly.
Can the Hindi language now be called "Fijian"?
