How did the Hawaiians lost their language?

Question

none of the people i talk to knows how to speak the language and even the native hawaiians only knows few words n' phrases but i believe the majority knows nothin'. its so sad.....

Answer 1

I actually read an article about hawaiin two days ago. it was a dying language because for awhile the American government made it illegal for them to speak hawaiian in schools and such, not exactly sure why. and then it was actually being taught as a foreign language at some hawaiian schools for awhile.

but the language is actually not lost, it is being revived and every year they are actually adding words to the language, like modern words for "rocket" and "hip hop" and the like. They have many schools all over the state now that only teach in Hawaiian but teach English has a foreign language, if you really want to know all the facts go to www.yourdictionary.com

i'm sorry but i can't find the direct link to the article. i hope i helped ^_^

Answer 2

Many indigenous cultures have lost their language upon colonisation. They are simply 'swamped' but the new powerful, overbearing culture, and little or no value was placed on their own. Some were even punished for speaking their own language & saw that it was advantageous in many aspects to acquire the new language. But they forgot or were forbidden to teach it to their children. This is called ' language death'. There are hundreds of languages around the world on 'the endangered lists' and linguists are racing against time to at least record & save the language for future generations who may want to re-learn and/or re-use it to help strengthen their culture.

Answer 3

because the europeans came and forced them to change their ways that includes their language...it's just like the native americans basically

Answer 4

Thats very tru for many indians i nthe US as well--they lost their language b/c of the USA! westernizing them =]

Answer 5

...actually I live in Honolulu and I know ALOT of families who speak native Hawaii'an-You'll here it on the radio, t.v. as well ... Come here and see for yourself! =*) There are courses being held at University of Hawaii and many young people are enrolling in it every year!