My father, Seva Rime Ruape, is from Kofionka, Henganofi District in Eastern Highlands Province, and my mother, Margreth Bukwena Bainam, is from Wando O’ve, Unggai-Bena District, also in the Eastern Highlands Province. I am the fourth-born among five children.

Coming from a country rich in linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages representing distinct tribes and clans, each language holds deep cultural and historical significance as part of our identity. In Papua New Guinea, our national languages, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu, serve as unifying mediums amidst this incredible variety. My parents come from the same province but speak entirely different vernaculars, each unique to their respective tribes.

Growing up, I was surrounded by four different languages at home: Kamano Kafe’, the Unggai language, Tok Pisin, and English. Learning and mastering my native languages presented challenges, as my primary teachers were my parents, each fluent in their own vernaculars. However, they needed a shared language to communicate both with each other and with us, so English and Pidgin became our most commonly used languages at home. This linguistic blend is not unusual in my region. The intermarriage among tribes and provinces has made multilingualism a natural part of life, with many, like me, growing up in households where several languages are spoken.

I was born and raised in the Western Highlands Province, where I completed both my primary and secondary education. For my tertiary studies, I moved to Port Moresby, marking a significant transition in my life and education. Growing up and studying in different provinces, however, limited my exposure to a consistent speaking community in my native languages, which impacted my ability to learn and retain them. By the time I began my tertiary education, I only knew the basics of my father's vernacular and had very limited understanding of my mother’s language.

After completing my residency at Port Moresby General Hospital, I chose to return to my hometown, Goroka, to practice medicine. Within just a few weeks, I realized the profound importance of knowing my local vernacular. Being able to communicate in my native language allowed me to establish more trusting, empathetic relationships with my patients, making my practice more effective and meaningful. Although Pidgin was invaluable during my residency and served as a bridge for communication, my return to Goroka highlighted how much deeper connections can go when conversing in a shared local language. This experience reinforced for me the cultural and practical significance of language in building rapport and providing care.

This year’s PNG Language Week theme is 'Lukautim, strongim na kirapim tokples na pasin blo tubuna,' which translates to 'Preserve, revitalize, and promote our language and culture.' This theme highlights the crucial need for young people to actively protect and nurture our native languages. With recent government reforms, a larger portion of the population is gaining access to education, leading to significant social progress. However, with this shift and the influence of Westernisation, we are gradually and unconsciously losing touch with our native languages, as it is often discouraged for the sake of helping students enhance their English proficiency. For me personally, I see it as an urgent call to ensure that our linguistic heritage, our Tokples, survives and, in turn, strengthens our cultural identity without compromising our educational progress.

Although I was once part of a generation that grew up with limited knowledge of my native language, I am now deeply grateful for the opportunity I have to reconnect with my roots. This journey has strengthened my commitment to preserving my culture and language, and I hope one day to pass down this knowledge to my children. By valuing and promoting our native languages, I aspire not only to honour my heritage but also to contribute to the survival of my unique cultural legacy.