The radio show is about Larry Kimura, who battles to save the Hawaiian language from extinction by learning to speak it. In the introductory part, Kimura says that Hawaii wasn’t really Hawaiian. By this statement, Kimura meant that the Hawaiian language was really ignored. He and his family were drawn to the indigenous side of the Indian culture and language and people in Hawaii were not connected to their language. Kimura emphasizes that the teacher should have taught the language better and not taken it “light”. I think teaching the Hawaiian language should have included extensive background on the culture and history of the Hawaiian people, highlighting the language’s significance as an integral aspect of Hawaiian identity. Recognizing its importance in bringing people closer to their history, its teaching should have been done with seriousness and respect. Instead of prioritizing surface-level knowledge, the instructional strategy could have been more immersive, emphasizing fluency and real-world application. Teachers can do a better job of helping students connect with the language and its culture if they include cultural events and customs in class.
Based on Kimura’s memories with his mom, several aspects keep a language alive while other factors harm it. One factor that keeps a language alive is listening to radio shows that teach that language. Another factor that improves the fluency of a language is hanging around old folks and family while listening to them and asking questions about it (Meraji et al., 6:06). Keeping the music records of a language can also help preserve it and make it remain alive. However, mixing a language or turning to another language to keep a conversation harms it.
Attempts to eradicate the Hawaiian language and culture during the colonial era had far-reaching consequences. As a means of transmission of identity and culture, the Hawaiian language preserves this past by representing the tenacity of the Hawaiian people. One form of resistance against losing culture and traditions is to learn and keep the language alive. Reclaiming the Hawaiian language is a powerful act of indigenous self-determination that confronts the colonial past. For them, it is a means of reclaiming their past and culture while expressing their independence and leaving a legacy for the next generation to be proud of.
Reviving a language and making it more vibrant requires a comprehensive approach. The most natural way of reviving the Hawaiian language is having a new generation of speakers whose first language is Hawaiian (Meraji et al., 12:24). Besides legislative reforms, educational reforms are also vital to incorporate the language into the curricula. Some of the reforms include establishing immersion programs and providing adequate resources to facilitate its acquisition by all learners. Communal participation and lifelong language transmission from one generation to another are crucial to maintaining its continuity and significance. Through cultural events, songs, art, and ceremonies, a language is incorporated into the daily routines of the community. Long-term restoration of a language also requires a collaborative approach between community leaders, government agencies, social institutions, and native speakers.
Home, school, and community have a great influence on reviving a language. When the community decides to bring a language back to life, they collaborate with homes and individual families. A family determined to revive the language takes their children to schools promoting Hawaii’s culture and language. As the children learn, so does the school expand and their language capacity improves. These spaces are congruent when a family in a Hawaiian community takes their children to Hawaiian-speaking schools. However, these spaces are more incongruent when the community recognizes English as a determining factor for success. This limits the number of homes taking their children to Hawaiian-only language schools.
Work Cited
Meraji, S. M., et al. “Saving a language you’re learning to speak: Code switch.” NPR, 2021, [36-minute listen], www.npr.org/2021/03/09/975484734/saving-a-language-youre-learning-to-speak.
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