There are 26
letters in the English language, and we need every single one of them. Want
proof? Choose a letter and write a blog post without using it. (Feeling really
brave? Make it a vowel!)
I’m not feeling brave, so I won’t choose a
vowel. I’ll choose the letter, “Z.” J
Did you know
there are only 24 letters in the Marshallese alphabet, the language of the
natives of the Marshall Islands?
Although, there are not 24 different and individual letters like in the
English alphabet. There are, instead, 24
different “sounds” in their language. For example, the letters A, L, M, N, O,
and U have 2-3 different sounds, but are written the same way except for some
marks on the top or bottom of the letters.
It is the most unique sounding language I have ever heard. It is, in fact, still in the process of being
formalized in written format because
it started out as an entirely oral language.
The original or “old” spelling of words and the development of the
written alphabet was introduced by missionaries and best I can tell was based
on how it sounded to them as native English speakers. There’s a club on Kwajalein called the Yokwe
Yuk Club. The way it is pronounced is
how it looks to you as an English speaker using the English alphabet. Over the
last few years, a new spelling has been developed for the Marshallese language
by the Republic of the Marshall Islands based on a more consistent and faithful
representation of the sound of the language.
With this new spelling, Yokwe Yuk becomes “iokwe eok.” And actually, Y
is not even a part of the alphabet, so it’s really a special case based on
Marshallese influenced English, but you will see it on signs all over the
islands.
Overall, it
is a very fascinating language, especially to persons who enjoy learning about
language, such as myself. Unfortunately, in all my years there, my actual grasp
of the language and ability to use it is very limited to basic phrases which
were useful to me as a teacher and co-worker to the locals while living
there. This is the real tragedy and
regret of my time there because less than 50,000 speak this interesting
Micronesian language, and I admire those who are dedicated enough to truly
devote themselves to communicating in it and with proper pronunciation, which
is possibly the hardest part if you have not grown up speaking it. The way you form your mouth, i.e. use your
tongue, etc…is pretty specific to this little known language. It’s truly amazing to listen to others converse in it. And their language, along
with so many other parts of their immensely family-oriented, generous, and
fun-loving culture makes the Marshallese island community the top of my list
for one of my favorite places in the world!! So, Kommol Tata, my friends, for
teaching me so many wonderful lessons over the years and sharing your lives and
hearts with me! Love you all!
How’s that? I picked the easiest letter to
leave out, I believe, and I still used it, although it was only twice (I think),
but I did pick it for a very special reason, because it is the first letter in
the name of my oldest child. So, for me,
the prompt is completely accurate, I could not live without even one of the 26
letters of the English alphabet! I need them all, just like my friends, my
family, and my sons. J
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