Well, I listened to the first podcast for ka papa yesterday. It was very interesting. I never considered how gender-specific Latin-based languages are. In ka ‘ōlelo Hawai’i, as the narrator pointed out, there are no separate words for he or she, only one word. That was an eye-opener for me, something I had never considered.
Of course there are gender-specific words like wahine and kāne.
But what does that fact of no gender-specific pronouns say about the culture of Hawai'i as opposed to traditional western culture?
I need to think more about this.
The podcast also pointed out how one could get into trouble by using words in an improper way (that is, by not knowing the "hidden" meaning of words). I'll definitely have to be careful with what I say and write in Hawaiian so as not to offend or anger anyone!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
2-27-09
OK, I changed the title of my blog today. Kumu Liko provided me with more suitable words for "My Electronic Journal." I'm still a little confused about the difference between "ko'u" and "ku'u" but that's all right. I'm sure I'll learn more as I go along.
Ka ʹōlelo Hawaiʹi isn't coming easy for me. I'm ok with Latin-based languages. Heck, I'm one of the few people who even studied Latin! But this new language has a different mind-set, with multiple meanings for words and a structure that I don't yet understand. But it will come, I hope, for this haumana.
Ka ʹōlelo Hawaiʹi isn't coming easy for me. I'm ok with Latin-based languages. Heck, I'm one of the few people who even studied Latin! But this new language has a different mind-set, with multiple meanings for words and a structure that I don't yet understand. But it will come, I hope, for this haumana.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
2-26-09
Often when I'm relaxing or flying on a plane I'll listen to music on my iPod. My preferred tunes, especially if I'm trying to sleep, have usually been techno or Hawaiian because techno has no words and the songs from Hawai'i have lyrics I don't understand.
However, since I've started taking this class, I've discovered that I am beginning to recognize more and more words in the language of Hawai'i. They pop out and I can't help but translate them in my head and try to discern their meaning in the song.
Hmmmm. Looks like techno will be my only sleepy-time music from now on!
However, since I've started taking this class, I've discovered that I am beginning to recognize more and more words in the language of Hawai'i. They pop out and I can't help but translate them in my head and try to discern their meaning in the song.
Hmmmm. Looks like techno will be my only sleepy-time music from now on!
2-20-09
Wow, I really had a lot of trouble with this week's ha'awina. I don't know where to place the "this" and "that" in the sentences. I keep getting 'ia and "kona" mixed up. And the vocabulary for this week for some reason just doesn't want to stick in my head, though I've spent a lot of time trying to memorized the words. I wish I was eighteen again!
Having said that, I am beginning to recognize words and phrases in the hulas and 'ukulele songs that I've learned. That's so cool!
It does remind me, though, that the language of Hawai'i isn't easy because each word has so, so many meanings. I can see how I might be very scared to try to compose a poem or mele bacause I could get into some real trouble with the multiple meanings!
Dawn will be over soon, so we'll study together tonight. John and I have been struggling along all week.
Having said that, I am beginning to recognize words and phrases in the hulas and 'ukulele songs that I've learned. That's so cool!
It does remind me, though, that the language of Hawai'i isn't easy because each word has so, so many meanings. I can see how I might be very scared to try to compose a poem or mele bacause I could get into some real trouble with the multiple meanings!
Dawn will be over soon, so we'll study together tonight. John and I have been struggling along all week.
12-13-08
My Hawaiian name, bestowed upon me by my first kumu hula, is Ho'olana. She said it meant "cheerful."
This class has made me aware of many more words that begin with "ho'o." It seems that the "ho'o" can cause the stem word to have quite different meanings. I like the way that this prefix is so useful.
This class has made me aware of many more words that begin with "ho'o." It seems that the "ho'o" can cause the stem word to have quite different meanings. I like the way that this prefix is so useful.
12-12-08
I've always been curious about something. I know a lot of kumus hula who have very complex Hawaiian names like Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt. Could this name actually be a string of words like "ka wai", etc?
Kumo Liko explained later in class that one cannot translate such names literally by taking them apart like that. He said the meaning is determined by the kumu who bestowed the name.
Kumo Liko explained later in class that one cannot translate such names literally by taking them apart like that. He said the meaning is determined by the kumu who bestowed the name.
12-10-08
I had a dream last night that I was actually having a conversation with someone in Hawaiian. Of course, it was a very simple conversation, peppered with words in English.
12-9-08
John and I were practicing the dialogue today in a McDonald's parking lot in McFarland, CA on our way south.
The central valley is about as far away from Hawai'i as you can get!
The central valley is about as far away from Hawai'i as you can get!
12-7-08
Guilty as charged! I haven't been faithful about writing in this journal. I also procrastinate about learning the vocabulary.
However, I feel good that I have memorized as many as I have.
However, I feel good that I have memorized as many as I have.
12-6-08
Spoke with my friend Judie today. She just got back from Hawai'i. When I told her I was learning Hawaiian, she said that she admires me because she couldn't figure out how to say any of the words she saw, especially the ones with several vowels in a row.
I explained that it's even more difficult there because many signs often don't have the 'okina or kahakō that would make them easier to pronounce.
I explained that it's even more difficult there because many signs often don't have the 'okina or kahakō that would make them easier to pronounce.
1-26-08
OK, I'm here at Kaiser getting a blood transfusion. I'll be here for five hours, so it seems like a great time to study the Hawaiian words.
I begin, but am too sleepy and I drop the flash cards on the floor.
The nurse comes in and picks the cards up for me and is fascinated that I'm trying to learn Hawaiian!
I begin, but am too sleepy and I drop the flash cards on the floor.
The nurse comes in and picks the cards up for me and is fascinated that I'm trying to learn Hawaiian!
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