Source: The Atlantic
The Hawaiin native language once nearly went extinct, but immersion schools helped to revive the language and helped Hawaiian natives reclaim their culture.
In just a few decades, a complete transformation occured for the language, with more Native Hawaiians being allowed once again to learn and practice their language and the culture that was tied to it.
In the 60s and 70s, reports The Atlantic, artists rose to reclaim traditional music and dance of Hawaiian culture. As part of the movement, the Hawaiian language was made official in the state, which helped to revive efforts to teach new generations.
“Activists ‘knew that raising children in an environment where Hawaiian was the ordinary language of interaction was central to the survival of the language,’” quotes The Atlantic.
Today, more than two dozen schools teach in Hawaiian language only and there are more than 18,000 native speakers in the state, thanks to movements through education that helped to make the language a staple in the daily lives of Hawaiian youths.
Read Full Story: The Atlantic