Speaking Hawaiian: Pidgin Style
Even though I went to high school in Hawaii, I’m a total haole (white person) and can’t really speak Pidgin.I understand it though and my brother, who’s lived in the islands off and on for more than 10 years, can speak it pretty well.
Pidgin is an “unofficial” language, basically a Hawaii Creole English, and it’s actually the primary language of most people living in Hawaii.
Pidgin was originally created so Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Filipinos, Portuguese and Americans could conduct business.
Here’re the 5 VIP pidgin words:
- · Howzit = How are you?
- · Tita = Tough Local Girl
- · Brah = Dude
- · Grinds = Food
- · Da Kine = Any thing and everything
Examples of pidgin in a sentence:
- · “No listen to dat tita, she say any kine, brah.”
- · “Ovah deah, get plenny grinds fo’ da money.”
- · “He mo’ fat dan me.”
Funny impersonation of President Obama Speaking Pidgin:
Wha? No ken understand, brah?
Tags: Hawaiian pidgin, President Obama speaks pidgin
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 and is filed under Asia Pacific.