Okinawan Language Day

What Is Okinawan Language Day?

September 18th is "Shimakutuba Day" (しまくとぅばの日), or Okinawan Language Day. It was established by Okinawa Prefecture through the "Ordinance on Shimakutuba Day," enacted in March 2006. The date comes from a wordplay reading of "ku (9) - tu (10) - ba (8)." "Shimakutuba" means "island language"—the languages passed down on the islands of Okinawa. The day aims to reaffirm the value of these fading local languages and pass them on to the next generation.

Why Shimakutuba Needs Protecting

The languages of Okinawa differ so greatly from mainland Japanese that speakers have difficulty understanding each other, and they developed through the islands' own history.

• A history of enforcing standard Japanese: From before the war until some time after it, people in Okinawa, especially in schools, were strongly urged to use standard Japanese. It is said that children who spoke the local language were sometimes made to wear a "dialect placard" (hōgen fuda) around their necks as punishment. As a result, the traditional languages declined even more than dialects on the mainland.
• Everyday speech today: Apart from older people, everyday conversation is now dominated by "Uchinā Yamatuguchi," a form of speech strongly influenced by standard Japanese.
• UNESCO also warns of extinction: In 2009, UNESCO listed eight languages and dialects in Japan as endangered: Ainu, Hachijō and Amami, plus Kunigami, Okinawan, Miyako, Yaeyama and Yonaguni, which are spoken in Okinawa Prefecture.

What Happens on Shimakutuba Day?

Since the ordinance was enacted, events for enjoying shimakutuba and symposiums on its future have been held across Okinawa around September 18. Speech contests in shimakutuba and school programs are among the activities that continue to pass the languages on across generations.

Fun Facts About Shimakutuba

• Different languages on different islands: "Shimakutuba" covers languages that vary greatly between Okinawa Island, Miyako, Yaeyama, Yonaguni and elsewhere, and speakers within the same prefecture may have trouble understanding each other.
• "Haisai" and "haitai": On Okinawa Island, the greeting equivalent to "hello" is said to be "haisai" for men and "haitai" for women.
• "Mensōre" and "nifē dēbiru": "Welcome" is "mensōre," and "thank you" is "nifē dēbiru"—words you may hear at tourist spots.
• Words full of everyday wisdom: Many words reflect the values of Okinawan people, such as "yuimāru" (mutual help), "ichariba chōdē" (once we meet, we are brothers and sisters) and "nuchigusui" (medicine for life), used for delicious food or heartwarming experiences.
• Even a TV drama title: The title of NHK's 2022 morning drama series "Chimudondon" is a shimakutuba expression meaning "heart pounding with excitement."

Ideas for Shimakutuba Day

• Learn one Okinawan word and imagine the background it came from.
• Recall local dialect words or phrases your parents or grandparents used.
• Listen to Okinawan folk songs or sanshin music and enjoy the sound and rhythm of the words.
• Share the dialects of your hometowns with coworkers or friends.

Local Languages Mirror the Life and Spirit of a Place

September 18 is a day to reconsider the value of the languages handed down on the islands of Okinawa. As with "yuimāru" and "ichariba chōdē," the charm of local languages lies in how a single word can carry the thinking and way of life of the people who use it. Not only in Okinawa, but everywhere, dialects gradually disappear as fewer people use them. Today, why not listen for the words of your own hometown, or the phrases your family used to say?