Introduction to the Hawaiian LanguageAncient Hawaiians celebrated (and continue to celebrate) a beautiful oral language. It was not until American Protestant missionaries established the writing system for the Hawaiians in an attempt to convert them to Christianity that a 90% literacy rate by the end of the 1800s was acheived. The established writing system contains 12 letters, 5 vowels and 7 consonants. The missionaries thought P and B, L and R, K and T, and W and V sounded too similar so B, R,T, and V were eliminated for simplification. Below is a short overview of the Hawaiian vowels and consonants and a few examples of how to pronounce Hawaiian words.
|
Pronouncing the Hah-wai-ee Language"ai" sounds like "i", as in nice
"ae" sounds like eye "ao" sounds like "ow", as in plow "au" sounds like "ou", as in spouse "ei" sounds like "ei", as in feight "oou" sounds like "ow", as in know Examples: Aloha (Ah-loh-hah) which means hello, goodbye or love. Mahalo (mah-hah-loh) which means thank you. |
E ola mau ka 'ölelo Hawai'i!
E ola mau ka hana a ka Hawai'i imi loa! (Long live the Hawaiian language! Shall our ancestors' great deeds, knowledge, and discoveries live on!) |
Here is an example of the transliteration of Hawaiian words:
Mauna Loa-Hawaiian word waiting to be transliterated (Mauw-nah Loa-(w)ah)-how you pronounce the phrase in Hawaiian "Long Mountain"-translation into the English language |
Vowels
|
ConsonantsThe sound of the Hawaiian consonants (H,K,L,M,N, and P) are very similar to English, but unlike the vowels, there is no stressed or unstressed letters.
W, however, is an exception to the rule. After I and E, W sounds like V. After U and O, W sounds like a normal W, and at the start of a word or after A, W sounds like a normal W or a V as Wai (water) |
Hawaiian Language in SchoolsKa Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai`i, or the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, has a mission to "achieve quality education based on knowledge of Hawaiian language and culture as the foundation upon which individuals become culturally responsive, sensitive, and productive adults who contribute significantly to all levels of Hawai`i's community and the world" (Hawaiian Language Immersion Program, 2008). As the only state in the United States to have two official languages, Hawaiians hope to promote their native language, culture, and history throughout all levels of the community.
|
Sources
Crinella, Mike and Kim Crinella. "Popular Hawaiian Words & Phrases." Welcome to A Friend in the Islands! A Friend in the Islands.Retrieved 14 December 2011 (http://www.alohafriendsluau.com/words.html).
Hawaii Island Atlas and Maps. Environmental Designs.
Juvik, Sonia P. and James O. Juvik. 1998. Atlas of Hawai‘i. Hilo, HI: University of Hawai`i Press.
Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i - the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support/Instructional Services Branch, Department of Education, State of Hawai`i, 19 Feb. 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2011 (http://www.k12.hi.us/~kaiapuni/).
Banner photo by Sandy Thao
Hawaii Island Atlas and Maps. Environmental Designs.
Juvik, Sonia P. and James O. Juvik. 1998. Atlas of Hawai‘i. Hilo, HI: University of Hawai`i Press.
Ka Papahana Kaiapuni Hawai'i - the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support/Instructional Services Branch, Department of Education, State of Hawai`i, 19 Feb. 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2011 (http://www.k12.hi.us/~kaiapuni/).
Banner photo by Sandy Thao