Breaking the Barriers: Taking Accountability for Learning Our Pasifika Languages
Language is more than just words; it is culture, identity, and connection. For many Pasifika people, learning the language of our ancestors can be an emotional journey—one filled with insecurities, doubts, and sometimes even shame. We often hear stories of people being mocked for their mispronunciations, feeling like outsiders in their own communities, or struggling with the reality that their parents or grandparents never passed the language down to them.
But why do these insecurities exist in the first place? The truth is, the struggles we face in learning our languages are deeply rooted in history—colonization, assimilation, and a societal push toward English and other dominant languages have all played a role in creating barriers. However, as adults, we can no longer allow these past forces to dictate our present. No one is going to teach us our languages—we have to want to learn them for ourselves.
Historical Barriers to Language Learning
One of the main reasons many Pasifika people struggle with their ancestral languages is colonization. European colonial powers not only took control of lands and resources, but they also imposed their languages and ways of thinking on our people. In many cases, speaking English, French, or another colonial language was seen as the key to success, while native languages were labeled as inferior or primitive. Schools, churches, and governments discouraged the use of indigenous languages, sometimes even punishing those who spoke them.
This led to generations of Pasifika families shifting away from their native tongues. Parents and grandparents, hoping to secure a better future for their children, prioritized English or other dominant languages, believing that fluency in those tongues would lead to better opportunities. Some people still hold this belief today, discouraging younger generations from learning their own languages in favor of English or other global languages.
The Influence of Assimilation and Whiteness
Another major factor that has contributed to language loss is assimilation. As Pasifika people moved to larger cities or migrated to Western countries, they found themselves surrounded by dominant cultures. In these environments, many felt pressure to conform—to speak, act, and think like the majority in order to fit in. This desire for acceptance often meant distancing themselves from their cultural roots, including their languages.
Additionally, proximity to whiteness has played a role in discouraging language learning. For centuries, Western ideals have been associated with progress, intelligence, and success, while indigenous cultures have been marginalized. Some Pasifika people, whether consciously or unconsciously, have internalized these ideas, believing that speaking English fluently and rejecting their native languages brings them closer to these ideals of success.
This mindset continues to exist today, with some people viewing Pasifika languages as “useless” outside of cultural events or family gatherings. Others may feel embarrassed to speak their language in public, afraid of being judged for having an accent or for not speaking fluently. These fears and insecurities are understandable given our history, but they are no longer valid excuses for not learning.
Present Accountability: No One is Going to Teach You—You Have to Learn It Yourself
As children, we had no control over the circumstances that shaped our linguistic environment. If our parents didn’t teach us our language, if our schools didn’t offer it, if our communities prioritized English, that was not our fault. However, as adults, we are fully responsible for what we choose to do now.
We live in an era of unprecedented access to information. Unlike our ancestors, who were often forced to give up their languages, we have the tools to reclaim them. Online courses, social media communities, language apps, and even YouTube tutorials exist for many Pasifika languages. There are people actively teaching and sharing resources. If we are serious about learning, there are no real barriers left—only excuses.
Yes, it will be difficult. Learning a language as an adult requires effort, patience, and consistency. You will make mistakes. You might get laughed at. You might struggle with pronunciation or grammar. But none of these struggles are reasons to give up. Our ancestors fought through far worse hardships to keep our cultures alive—we owe it to them, and to ourselves, to at least try.
Embracing the Journey of Language Learning
Learning your ancestral language is not about proving something to others; it’s about reclaiming something for yourself. It is about deepening your connection to your culture, your family, and your history. The journey may be challenging, but it is also rewarding. Every new word learned is a step toward healing the disconnection that colonization and assimilation created.
For those who feel embarrassed or insecure about their language skills, remember this: no one starts as an expert. Every fluent speaker was once a beginner. The only difference between those who learn and those who don’t is that the learners kept going despite their fears.
If you are waiting for the perfect teacher, the perfect course, or the perfect moment to start, you will be waiting forever. No one is going to teach you your language. You have to want to learn it for yourself. The resources exist, the opportunity is there—it’s time to take accountability and begin.
So start today. Even if it’s just one word, one phrase, one sentence. Speak it, write it, embrace it. Because the more we use our languages, the stronger they become. And the stronger they become, the more we ensure they will never be lost again.
