Report

Inter-island Sustainability Lecture Series #4

As the third session of the Inter-island Sustainability Lecture Series launched this fall, a COIL lecture was held, featuring three speakers, Masahide Ishihara (University of the Ryukyus), Yumiko Ohara (University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo), and Amy Pei-jung Lee (National Dong Hwa University).

Title: Online Symposium on “Our” Languages: Preservation and Revitalization
Lecturer:
・Masahide Ishihara (University of the Ryukyus)
・Yumiko Ohara (University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo)
・Amy Pei-jung Lee (National Dong Hwa University)
Date and Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:00-11:30 (JST)
Format: Online via Zoom
Overview:
This lecture, titled “Our Languages: Preservation and Revitalization,” focused on efforts to preserve and revitalize languages in Okinawa, Hawaiʻi, and Taiwan. “Our” Languages refers to Okinawa’s Uchinaaguchi, Hawaiʻi’s Hawaiian language (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi), and Taiwan’s Formosan languages. Three experts shared insights on the challenges of language preservation and revitalization, along with educational and cultural initiatives addressing these issues.

Dr. Yumiko Ohara from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo began by discussing the historical and sociolinguistic features of the Hawaiian language, as well as its preservation and revitalization efforts. Hawaiian, the only Indigenous language in Hawaiʻi, was widely used during the Hawaiian Kingdom in the 19th century but saw a drastic decline in speakers following the kingdom’s overthrow in 1893 and the subsequent expansion of English use. However, the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, which began in the 1980s, led to significant progress through initiatives like Pūnana Leo, a nonprofit organization focused on early childhood education, and the Hawaiian language programs offered by the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. While the movement successfully increased the number of speakers, Dr. Ohara noted ongoing challenges, including a shortage of Hawaiian language teachers and the need to expand its use in various domains.

Dr. Masahide Ishihara of the University of the Ryukyus then spoke about the history of Uchinaaguchi, an Okinawan language, and the significance of reclaiming and speaking it. Drawing from his personal experiences, Dr. Ishihara highlighted how policies promoting standard Japanese, such as the use of “dialect tags” to discourage the use of Uchinaaguchi, contributed to the language’s decline and caused intergenerational trauma. He emphasized how reclaiming and learning Uchinaaguchi not only strengthens cultural identity and revitalizes communities but also serves as a source of personal and collective healing.

Lastly, Dr. Amy Pei-jung Lee from National Dong Hwa University discussed the current status of Formosan languages in Taiwan and efforts to revitalize them. These Austronesian languages are often referred to as “Taiwan’s gift to the world” due to their diversity. However, Japan’s colonial assimilation policies and Taiwan’s national language policies since the 1950s led to a significant decline in speakers. In response, Taiwan has developed innovative approaches, such as digital learning tools and e-learning resources, to promote accessibility to Formosan languages. At National Dong Hwa University, where Dr. Lee teaches, education is centered on integrating linguistics and mass communication, offering programs in more than 12 Indigenous languages. The university also engages in fieldwork and student-led initiatives to ensure the preservation and transmission of these languages.

Student Reflections:
Students from the University of the Ryukyus and partner institutions in Hawaiʻi and Taiwan shared their thoughts on the lecture. Many expressed a deeper understanding of the close relationship between language, culture, and community. They were impressed by the diverse approaches to language revitalization, ranging from grassroots efforts to government-level initiatives, and recognized the importance of involving young people and external communities in these efforts. Some students were particularly moved by the storytelling and personal experiences shared by the speakers, while others found value in the opportunity to compare the language situations of Hawaiʻi, Okinawa, and Taiwan. A number of participants were inspired to take an active role in language preservation and continue learning about these initiatives, making this COIL lecture a meaningful and impactful experience.

Inter-island Sustainability Lecture Series

#1　Lynn Miyahira “Being ‘Yonsei’ in Hawaii: Cultivating a Strong Identity & Passion for Community“
#2　Kelli Y. Nakamura “The Hawai‘i Connection: Okinawa’s Postwar Reconstruction and Uchinanchu Identity“
#3　Kyle Kajihiro “Ke Awalau o Pu‘uloa to Pearl Harbor: Narratives of Transformation and Resistance“