PACIFC ISLAND LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: IMPLICATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

1. PACIFC ISLAND LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: IMPLICATIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

2. Just for fun and not on test 2—Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson  • Johnson’s Polynesian chest and arm tattoo was done in early 2003, by a famous Tahitian tattoo artist named Po’oino Yrondi. On a trip to Hawaii the then-30-year-old had his family history inked on his body— a Samoan tradition. According to Dwayne, his cousin Tanoa’i also got inked, and they got together with other cousins, friends and family members to play music and talk about the story of their heritage, in order to take their minds off getting such painful tattoos.

3. Not on test 2: • The story of my [chest and arm] tattoo is a very elaborate story,” Johnson once said during an interview, “[It represents] all the things that are important to me, that I love and that I’m passionate about.” Dwayne and his tattoo artist said a prayer before even starting his intricate tribal tattoo, which took a total of 60 hours, split up into three different sessions of 20 hours a piece. According to Johnson, the chest and arm tattoo is a story about his life and journey, but bigger than that, a story about his ancestors and his culture, which play an important role in his own identity.

4. Not on test 2: • Another theme that was worked into the design of Dwayne Johnson’s tattoo on his chest and arm is the idea of struggle —overcoming obstacles to achieve success and being appreciative of that success without taking it for granted. To put it simply, The Rock’s tattoo comes down to three things: family, protecting his family and having “a very aggressive warrior spirit,” as he so eloquently puts it

5. 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)

6. In the U.S., the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander group has grown** • 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 • Unfortunately, some PIs such as Samoans in the U.S. experience abject poverty

7. II. CULTURAL CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES** • Hospitality, generosity, and sharing are very important • Attitudes toward life are relaxed

8. Kapoanuenueahiahi L.** • Her name means “the night rainbow” • Growing up in Hawaii, she had a lot of different caregivers • Hawaii is VERY multiracial • Long dinners 1-2 hours where they “talk story” • The coconut wireless is prominent!

9. 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

10. California Educator:

11. In the Fijiian village of Natawadawadi…

13. Former student Madelyn Couture:** • When she was looking into Hawaii University, she was told that some of the professors would cancel class or take the day off if the surf was good

15. IV. PACIFIC ISLAND FAMILY LIFE** • Extended familiesare common • Child care is provided by multiple caretakers • Heavy emphasis on authority and respect • Emphasis on well-being of family, not individual rights

16. For example, in Samoa:

17. Mokuau, M., & Tauili’ili, P.:

19. V. HEALTH CARE AND DISABILITIES** • Lots of OME • Ch may be exposed to mercury from seafood—may experience lower IQs, cognitive and linguistic problems • In Samoa, intolerance for disabilities • Chamorros of Guam view a disability as a gift from God • Hawaii--disabilities have spiritual causes

21. ASHA Leader articles:

22. Former student Bernice:** • When she was living on Oahu, her 2-year old son Marcus was dxed with ASD • She immediately contacted the state early intervention program to initiate ABA therapy • SLP immediately dxed him with a significant delay • Informed Marcus would be placed on a waitlist due to shortage of SLPs on the entire island • Looked into private practices, but told there was at least a 6-month waitlist • This felt terrible and was what inspired me to become an SLP!

23. Former student Jayla Martinez:** • Is an SLP in Maui • To supplement $45,000 a year salary, SLPs often teach yoga and rock climbing and sell coconuts • Had to adjust her therapy to narratives or “talk story” and not use abstract materials • Children who speak pidgin have a difference, not a disorder, so don’t qualify for therapy • But there is no ESL; no one to help them learn MAE

25. consumer.healthday.com:

26. VI. COMMUNICATION STYLES

27. Research of Schieffelin Ochs compared American and Samoan mothers

28. VII. LANGUAGE CONSIDERATIONS** • Over 1200 indigenous languages are spoken in the Islands • Language is influenced by culture

29. The specifics about Hawaiian, Tahitian, Fijian, Chamorro, and Samoan languages on pp.175-176 are not on the exam ** • Please do know the general PI language considerations on page 174-175; stop where you see “Hawaiian language”

31. Youtube example: • Hawaiian Pidgin English (part 2)

32. 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