Hawaiian Pidgin

Hawaiian Pidgin
When I began living in Hawaii I had the hardest time understanding the way the locals spoke. I was to understand that if I was to ask someone where they were instead of just asking them "where they were" I'd have to ask "where you stay?" If I didn't like something I'd say "I no like".

There were times at work when I found I couldn't do something I'd simply say "no can" instead of going through the longer version of saying that I couldn't do it. I found that way of speaking to be very interesting and developed a likeness for it.

Pidgin is actually influenced by the Portuguese, Cantonese and Chinese languages. Later on the Japanese, Filipinos and Koreans added to the way of speaking. Pidgin can really confuse a person if it's not understood and practiced. One of my favorite phrases at the end of a work day was "Pau hana.. Aloha!" which meant "work over, good by".

The Hawaiian language is very often used together with Pidgin. First used on plantations between ethnic groups and in homes, Pidgin later caught on in schools and soon after became the primary language of most of the Hawaiian people practically replacing other languages. For that reason Hawaiian Pidgin is considered to be a creole language.

While being a resident I found myself speaking my version of Pidgin and easily understood even the most local of locals. I've since lost my flavor for speaking that way but am sure should I return to that Island Paradise it would come back in a heartbeat.