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The HawaiiCreoleEnglishLanguage is a PacificEnglishBasedCreoleLanguage of the UnitedStates. SIL code: HAW. ISO 639-2: cpe. Population: 600,000 speakers or more, half of the state population (1986 M. Forman), including 100,000 to 200,000 who have limited control of Standard English and near Standard English (1986 M. Forman). Another 100,000 speakers on the USA mainland. There are many second language users. The population of Hawaii is 1,185,497 (1999 census). Region: All the Hawaiian Islands, USA mainland (especially the west coast, Las Vegas, and Orlando). Alternate names: PIDGIN, HAWAI'I PIDGIN, HCE. Comments: The basilect (heavy creole) is barely intelligible with Standard English (H. McKaughan and M. Forman 1982). Bilingualism in English, Hawaiian, Hakka, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Ilocano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Portuguese, Spanish, Samoan. 50% of children in Hawaii do not speak English as mother tongue when entering school. Most of these speak HCE as mother tongue. Used in courts by officers, jurors, plaintiffs, defendants, witnesses. Creative writing in it in some schools. A growing body of serious literature. Used in schools for many explanations, because many students do not control Standard English. There are some communication problems at university level. All ages. Vigorous use by 100,000 to 200,000. The native speech of a large number of those born or brought up in Hawaii, regardless of racial origin. There is a continuum of speech from the distinct creole to Standard English of Hawaii. Different speakers control different spans along the continuum, there are those whose only form of verbal communication is the creole. It is accepted by many as an important part of the local culture, a distinctive local language, but looked down on by others. Some official acknowledgement of it in print and public discussion. Grammar. Literacy rate in first language: 66% to 75%. Literacy rate in second language: 66% to 75%. Roman. Radio programs, TV. Tropical forest. Volcanic islands, coral reefs, coastal, mountain slope. Fishermen, agriculturalists, animal husbandry, white and blue collar workers, tourism, military. Sea level to 4,000 feet. Christian, Hawaiian traditional religion, Buddhist. Bible portions 1997.(extract from http://www.ethnologue.com/)
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