The vibrational spectrum of sodium sulphite both in the solid state and in aqueous solution has been re-assigned. In the solid state the data are not compatible with point group C3v for the anion and we have rationalised the assignments in terms of the point group S6. The anomalous results previously reported for the i.r. spectrum of sulphite dissolved in water can be readily interpreted in terms of a chemical reaction between the sulphite anion and the silver chloride windows of the cell.