Tongan Linguist Vasalua Jenner-Helu to Explore Decolonising Tongan Language at Oxford
Tongan linguist and scholar Vasalua Jenner-Helu has achieved a remarkable milestone in her academic career. The senior lecturer at the Atenisi Institute has been accepted as a visiting academic in linguistics at the prestigious University of Oxford. This opportunity will allow her to delve into her research on decolonising the Tongan language for a three-month period at the end of the year.
In a recent radio interview, Jenner-Helu shared insights into her ground-breaking research, which focuses on examining the works of Clerk Maxwell Churchwood, an Australian Methodist missionary who compiled significant written Tongan books such as dictionaries and grammar books in 1953 and 1957. Her work aims to uncover Indigenous words and phrases that may have been overshadowed by the influence of European missionaries.
“Early word lists collected in Tonga by Europeans have not undergone any reviews,” Jenner-Helu explained. “My research seeks to understand how these missionaries conceptualised our language, which we now accept as normal.”
One of the central themes of Jenner-Helu’s research is the impact of borrowed words, particularly from English, on the Tongan language. While acknowledging the necessity of borrowed words like “church” (siasi) and “conference” (konifelenisi), she raised concerns about the potential for these words to introduce foreign concepts into the language.
“The more we use these borrowed words, the more they become the norm, leading to the adoption of foreign concepts,” Jenner-Helu noted. She emphasized the importance of critically examining the incorporation of English words into Tongan education, as it could shape the language for future generations.
Jenner-Helu also highlighted the existence of Tongan words that many Tongans may not be aware of, which were not in common use in the past. She cited Dr. Tamu Folau’s dictionary as a valuable resource for Indigenous Tongan terms. She provided examples such as “Malo-e-lelei,” now a standard greeting in contemporary Tongan. She said, “It may have been created by Churchward.” “Malo-e-lelei” is a made-up greeting as it did not exist before and she’s advocating for a return to Indigenous greetings like “Malo-e-tau-lava,” ‘malo-e-tau-ma’u,’ or ‘mālō e tau ma’u pongipongi ni’. These were the kinds of greetings that were used in Tonga before Churchward’s books.
Her research extends beyond vocabulary to address deeper issues within the Tongan language, including what she describes as “language racism.” Jenner-Helu expressed concerns about words like “uli,” which can mean both “black” and “dirty” in Tongan. She questioned whether such definitions were originally part of the language or introduced later, potentially through missionary influence.
In discussing her research, Jenner-Helu emphasized the need to recognize the evolving nature of language, acknowledging the contributions of New Zealand-born Tongans who introduce new words. However, she urged caution in accepting these changes without understanding their origins and potential implications.
As Jenner-Helu prepares to commence on her research journey at the University of Oxford, her work promises to shed light on the complex history and evolution of the Tongan language. By challenging established narratives and uncovering Indigenous words and meanings, she is paving the way for a deeper understanding and appreciation of Tongan linguistic heritage.
The University of Oxford’s Department of Linguistics awaits Jenner-Helu’s arrival, recognizing the significance of her research in the field of decolonizing language studies. With her expertise and dedication, Jenner-Helu is poised to make valuable contributions to the academic community and beyond.
This article is based on a radio interview by Finau Fonua of Radio NZ with Tongan linguist Vasalua Jenner-Helu, providing insights into her upcoming research at the University of Oxford.
