Indo-Fijian English. Linguistic diaspora or endonormative stabilization?

Abstract

This paper first traces the history and sociolinguistic situation of Fiji's well-established and influential Indian diaspora. It then weighs support for the development of endocentric norms in the national second language variety of English, Fiji English, against diasporic influence by combining linguistic evidence from previous studies with data from an attitude survey conducted among Fiji students in the country's capital. The data analysis probes the status of Fiji English as a national variety by evaluating statements of language attitudes and reported usage based on a keyword analysis of responses to direct, open-ended survey questions. The results support the claim of progressing endonormative stabilization whereas indications for diasporic links to India in the use of English remain weak.