About the Dictionary of the Tuvaluan Language and Culture

This online dictionary introduces the language and culture of Tuvalu, a beautiful island nation in Polynesia. The word lists, which are currently available mostly in Japanese, partly in English, sometimes explain words with photos and illustrations, placing importance on perceiving vocabulary in the daily lives of the Tuvaluan people. On the top page, we have several columns on the language, culture, and customs. All the words in this dictionary have been collected by Hiroshi Tachibana (Hilosi Tativana i fakaTuvalu), an associate professor at Kinjo Gakuin University in Japan, by interviewing people and researching the previous works on the Tuvaluan language and culture. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who have always been supporting me.

There may be quite a few words that have deficient or inadequate explanations because this study has not been completed yet and is still ongoing. Especially, the English version is still a work in progress. The contents of the dictionary will be updated from time to time. If there are any particular points to highlight, then I would appreciate it if you could inform me of it.

Abbreviations Used in the Dictionary

Members

• 

  Hilosi Tativana (Tachibana, Hiroshi)

  Kinjo Gakuin University
  Department of International Communication
  Associate Professor
• 

  Isumi Hosi (Hoshi, Izumi)

  Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
  The Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa
  Professor

Research grants

The contents of this web site are a product of four research projects:

1. 2017 Kinjo Gakuin University Parent-Teacher Association Research Grant “Language Attitudes and Language Education Policies of the Tuvaluan Immigrants in New Zealand”
2. 2018 Kinjo Gakuin University Research Grant “Language and Environment among Tuvaluans: Effects of Migration to an English-Speaking Society on the Linguistic Ecology”
3. the 2020 TUFS ILCAA IRC project “A Tuvaluan Lexicon of the Coconut Culture”
4. the 2021-2022 TUFS ILCAA IRC project “Creating an Online Version of a Dictionary of the Tuvaluan Language and Culture”

Kinjo Gakuin University

Research Institute for Languages and Cultures of Asia and Africa (ILCAA), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS)

Information Resource Center (IRC), ILCAA, TUFS

Special Thanks to

The Maliga family, the Nakala family, Temetiu Maliga, Talaifina Maliga, Meleata Nakala, Mahafe Nakala, Siliga Tala, Tavita Tala, Vaelei Vaelei, Launiu Pelosi, Mileta Pelosi,
Afasene Laitailiu, Elika Pepeuga, Filipo Malosi, Filogia Taliu, Fineaso Tehulu, Ieti Vaiolini, Kapuafe Lifuka, Kyoko Kawajiri, Maina Talia, Makoto Kopai Kobayashi, Malia Ipitoa, Mesela Taaku, Natsuyo Natu Monden, Saga Malua, Sofala Lafita, Suamalie Naisali, Sunema Simati, Taaku Taaku, Talesi Singkiang, Talia Salasopa, Tefatu Panapa, Tepuu Tangisia Kilei