Japanese language loyalty in Hawaii

Abstract

Hawaii has always been characterized by complex geo-political activities. Located between two major modern superpowers, Continental US and Japan, it is home of one of the world’s most influential community of citizens of Japanese descent. Language and culture preservation are pursued through physical and non-physical infrastructures and the degree of involvement that these activities produce stand way beyond that of a minority. They extend to the general population and, on a bigger scale, also influence the cultural and economic relationships with Japan. The purpose of this thesis is to understand if language loyalty towards Japanese in Hawaii can be considered a key factor in the development and sustainment of the islands’ successful educational, cultural and touristic model and its benefits. The importance of this proposal is shown by the fact that it could lead to a series of sociolinguistic challenges that could be useful to understand the relationship between minority status and benefits for society as a whole. For this research I propose a quantitative and qualitative analysis on the Japanese spoken in Hawaii through official data and with emphasis on case studies considered relevant for their language-based activities on the islands. I will then link these language loyalty efforts with what can be considered benefits in order to prove the positive effects that they are producing for the whole Aloha state.