PACIFC ISLAND LANGUAGE AND

CULTURE: IMPLICATIONS

FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

Map of the Pacific Islands

Map of the Pacific Islands

FijiFiji

Tonga

GuamGuam

Sunset in Guam

Sunset in Guam

I. GENERAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION**

• Population: 1=Hawaiians, 2=Samoans, 3=Chamorros (Guam)

• PIs have been influenced by many different cultures

• Main areas: Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia (specific islands in each area will NOT be on the exam)

• In the U.S., the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander group has grown between 1990-2000.**

• Race alone: 9.3% growth

• Race alone or in combination: 139.5%

• AAPIs comprise 4% of the total U.S. population

• They are expected to reach 10% of the population by 2050.

• Mokuau, M., & Tauili’ili, P. (2011): currently 846,000 PIs live in the U.S.

• Unfortunately, some PIs such as Samoans in the U.S. experience abject poverty

II. CULTURAL CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES**

• Hospitality, generosity, and sharing are very important

• Attitudes toward life are relaxed

TongaTonga

Kayaking in GuamKayaking in Guam

Transportation in BaliTransportation in Bali

III. EDUCATION**

• Based on oral learning

• Rote memorization; children are taught to conform, not be individualistic and creative

• Things are done in groups, not individually

• Resources like books are challenging to come by

In the Fijiian village of Natawadawadi…

Statistics show:**

10.6% of the U.S. population has a graduate or professional degree

Only 4.3% of Pacific Islanders have this type of degree

IV. PACIFIC ISLAND FAMILY LIFE**

• Extended families are common

• Child care is provided by multiple caretakers

• Heavy emphasis on authority and respect

• Emphasis on well-being of family, not individual rights

For example, in Samoa:

Mokuau, M., & Tauili’ili, P. (2011):

V. HEALTH CARE AND DISABILITIES

ASHA Leader articles:

• Major risk factors: hypertension, high cholesterol

• Almost 30% of APIs have high cholesterol

VI. COMMUNICATION STYLES

Research of Schieffelin Ochs compared American and Samoan mothers

VII. LANGUAGE CONSIDERATIONS**

• Over 1200 indigenous languages are spoken in the Islands

• Language is influenced by culture

• The specifics about Hawaiian, Tahitian, Fijian, Chamorro, and Samoan languages on pp. are not on the exam **

• Please do know the general PI language considerations on page ; stop where you see “Hawaiian language”

Youtube example:

• Hawaiian Pidgin English (part 2)

VIII. IMPLICATIONS FOR SLPS**

• We must fully explain paperwork requiring signatures

• Be careful about requesting parents to come to school

• Use a collective rather than individual storytelling method