In Tonga, the concept of fakaleiti is somewhat complex and quite different from the perceptions people in the United States have on transgenderism or cross-dressing. In Tonga, most are concerned with anga faka-Tonga which is basically “the Tongan way”, or preserving their culture. It is interesting however that nearly all Tongans know some English. They consider English to be a “prestige language”, and because it is sort of placed on a pedestal, some are afraid to speak it for fear of making errors when they speak. This seems like Tongans are somewhat proud and don’t want to look perhaps inferior to those that can speak it fluently.
The concept of the “Tongan way” is further specified through fakaleiti, which is considered “behaving like a woman”. These are men that behave as women such as doing what is considered “women’s work” and even dressing in what they think are women’s clothing. An interesting definition of fakaleiti can be found here http://www.tongaatoz.com/f.html. Although fakaleiti are biologically men, they have sexual relations with other men, whom consider themselves straight. These men will ask questions to the fakaleiti to decide if they are truly women before engaging in any sexual activity with them.
The way that fakaleiti relates to language is in the way they speak. Most Tongans identify fakaleiti through their high-pitched, fast tempo, and dramatic way of speaking. They tend to use English in conversations regardless of how fluent they are, however slipups in speaking English during the Miss Galaxy pageant will cause ridicule and teasing from the crowd. Tongans overall expect fakaleiti to speak more English than men because fakaleiti are seen as self-assured with no shame as to making errors in speaking, they are stereotyped as being more in touch with the Western world and modernity, and surprisingly in Tonga English is considered a feminine language. Men that excessively use English are even said as putting their masculinity at risk!
All of this is very interesting when compared with mainland perceptions of these activities and behaviors. A pretty basic webpage to read to compare Tongan views with American views is here http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/cross_dressing_ssh.html.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
The way Americans treat and interact with transgendered men differs greatly from how Tongans treat and interact with the transgendered men, or fakaleiti, of their society. It was surprising to learn that “straight” men in Tonga engage in sexual relations with fakaleiti, after determining, through a series of conversations, if the fakaleiti are the ‘real women’ they claim to be (Besnier 285). In contrast, it would be difficult to find “straight” American men who would openly admit to engaging in sexual relations with a transgendered man who they, after a succession of verbal engagements, deemed a real woman. It is apparent that the Tongan society is more accepting and comfortable with transgendered individuals than the American society, at least for the time being.
ReplyDeleteThe fakaleiti of Tonga take a unique position in Tongan society. Though the ability to speak English is regarded with much prestige, “most non-privileged Tongans are often reluctant to speak English, ostensibly, according to explanations offered, because they fear making linguistic errors” (Besnier 283). In contrast, the fakaleiti disregard this general view, “no matter how fluent or elementary their English proficiency may be, leiti pepper their conversations with one another and others with English (Besnier 286). I would think that the fakaleiti make up only a minority of Tongan society, but unlike the majority, they practice and use English with no reluctance. The fakaleiti show how through language use, people can gain and signify prestige they hold.
ReplyDeleteThere are something interesting about fakaleiti in Besnier's article. Before reading this article, I only know transgender is well-known in Thailand. I am surprsied to find out in Tonga, the fakaleiti are so popular and widely accepted by the society.
ReplyDeleteWhat also amazes me is the straight men have sexual relationship with them.
English is considered as prestige language in fakaleiti's eyes. I really admire them because even they are not very influent in English, they dare to say it. In Besnier's article, in the Miss Galaxy Pagean, even one of the contestants was poor at English, she still spoke it. From my perspective, I really admire her courage, even though she did a bad job.
It is also interesting to find out if men are excessively use English, they will be deemed as putting their masculinity at risk.