So much so that in some groups it’s influenced the pronunciation of the letters “p” and “f.” Some immigrant influences from way back are still prevalent in the culture here, like Portuguese and of course, Chinese. For example, I understand that Pilipino immigration was and perhaps still is influential here. You’ll hear words from a number of other languages and I’m not talking taco and Toyota. Many sentences and conversations use Hawaiian, Pidgin, and Japanese words while speaking English with a sort of lyrical intonation. (*I didn’t really get this since I’m not really in any circle here, but…whatever.) I was advised to get a Pidgin vocabulary book to blend in or minimally understand what was being said outside of my circle. If you speak English like a mainland transplant, you’re not really local, especially in casual settings. I’ve been told from people who grew up here that in private schools you won’t hear Pidgin even if students and teachers use it outside of class. You’ll need to use a little bit of Pidgin or at least have a Hawaiian accent. But if you speak Standard English, you may not be considered a local by locals. Mainland, American English is taught here. But British English is not the prevalent dialect. English was spoken on the Hawaiian islands long before it became a US state via England’s influence in Hawaii’s history. I don’t have a history background or knowledge about evolving languages, yet since I’ve lived here, I hear at least three or more ways of speaking English in Honolulu. Long story– Hawaiian accents, Pidgin, English, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Creole, Say what?
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